2.5 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: VENKATESH A.
ACTORS: AJAY, SIVAJI GANESAN
ACTRESS: MALAVIKA
MUSIC DIRECTOR: VIDYASAAGAR
STORYLINE:
Ajay plays a young man who lives in a village with his parents, grandfather (Sivaji Ganesan), and a cousin (Chinni Jayant). Sivaji's brother is Nambiar, and Nambiar has three granddaughters (the second one is Malavika). Nambiar's son is played by Raguvaran. Everyone always said Ajay should marry Raguvaran's oldest daughter Mala, but Raguvaran arranges for Mala to wed someone else.
Sivaji is angry, even though Ajay says he doesn't much care and expresses a desire to go see the wedding anyway. Sivaji eventually becomes mollified and the family sets off to North India.
In north India, Ajay falls in love with Raguvaran's second daughter, Malavika. But during the wedding, Sivaji marries Mala to someone she really loves and angers Raguvaran. So Raguvaran makes Malavika promise she won't fall in love and wreck the family name again.
Therefore, Ajay's and Malavika's love is in turmoil.
COMMENTS:
It's got some great comedy and for once the sentiment doesn't seem contrived, and the love seems natural. Sivaji Ganesan, even though he's incredibly old, still acts very well, and Ajay is a pretty good actor himself. Chinni Jayanth (with Sivaji Ganesan) has pulled off the comedy scenes very well. Raguvaran is his usual self.
Overall, it's a very watchable movie. One of the best of the mediocre 1999 cinema year.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
Nothing extraordinary.
RECOMMENDATION:
If you really like movies, watch it in the theater. Otherwise, wait for the video. But definitely see it somewhere.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN