After lying in the cans for almost a year, director Jeeva's Ullam Ketkumae is finally out. And if you ask is the wait worth it, well, it becomes a moot question.
A campus love story, Ullam Ketkumae certainly possesses all the ingredients to attract the target audience - youth.
Good characterization, peppy music and excellent cinematography make the movie engrossing. However a lengthy climax, which could have been avoided, drags the film down.
Ullam Ketkumae is certainly a saving grace for Sham, who otherwise is haunted by a string of failures.
For Pooja, Asin and Arya, who are quite popular artistes today, Ullam Ketkumae had been their launch pads. And considering this to be their (real) debut ventures, one can only say that they have done a very good job.
Impressive of the lot is Laila, who not only looks refreshing but attracts one and all playing a innocent and a bubbly college student.
The movie is all about a group of five college friends - Shaam (Shaam), Ehshaan (Arya), Pooja (Laila), Priya (Asin) and Irene (Pooja). The friends gather for the wedding of Ehshaan.
There begins the movie with a flashback, all recollecting their college days. In college, they spend all their time together.
Ehshaan, a popular cricket player in the college falls in love with Irene, an Anglo-Indian. So does Shaam with Priya. However, Pooja develops a soft corner for Shaam.
When they go for a college culturals, each one tries to convey his love for the other. However Priya refuses to accept Shaam's love while Pooja, coming to know of Shaam's interest in Priya, conceals her desire.
When Ehshaan gets dropped from the college cricket squad, Irene picks up a fight with him resulting in the former attempting a suicide. He later resolves to fight his way back in the team. And then on life takes over.
After several years, they all gather for Ehshaan's wedding arranged with his relative. In the meanwhile, he rises to become a popular cricketer representing the country.
All friends who gather for the wedding recall their early days. Enters Pooja, who is settled in USA. The rest is all about Pooja and Shaam meeting each other again and falling in love.
Shaam has given a creditable performance and fits the bill well. Laila walks away with all honors playing her role with ease. Her body language and facial expressions deserve a special mention. Arya, Pooja and Asin are full of energy and come up with acceptable portrayals.
Thotta Tharani's excellent set design combined with a youthful musical score by Harris Jeyaraj needs special applause.
The music is refreshing and is cool on the ears.
Though the movie has come a bit too late, it is quite engrossing. Cinematographer director Jeeva has tried to entertain the youth and he seems to have succeeded in his attempt.
Ullam Ketkumae begins on a brisk note and proceeds on top gear until towards the second half when lengthy scenes and dialogues leave audience restless.
But over all, the film is full of youthful fizz. A pity really that the film couldn't make it to the theaters early.
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