2.5 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: JEEVA
ACTORS: SHAAM, SUNIL SHETTY
ACTRESSES: JOTHIKA, SIMRAN
MUSIC DIRECTOR: HARRIS JAYARAJ
STORYLINE:
An Indianized retake on the English film "Sliding Doors."
Shakthi (newcomer Shaam) is on his way to a job interview. On the way, he meets Jothika (Jothika) and falls in love with her at first sight. Jothika climbs on the bus 12B. Shaam runs forward to catch the same bus.
The story diverges. One story has Shaam catching the bus. The other has him missing it. If he catches the bus, he gets the job and affections of a co-worker named Priya (Simran.) If he misses the bus, he loses his job, gets a job as a mechanic with a friend (Vivek) and falls in love with Jothika.
The story is basically how one incident can drastically change your life.
COMMENTS:
A "different" kind of storyline. Unfortunately (though the film will be a hit), the execution is pretty poor. Director Jeeva worked with Shankar on "Indian." He seems to have gleaned little other than picturisation talent from Shankar.
Though the film is very entertaining and very watchable, it's also incredibly illogical. Nothing makes sense. The Shaam who catches the bus SEES the Shaam who misses the bus. Hello? Another giant flaw in the movie is the ending. You will leave thoroughly confused, guaranteed, because of the striking illogic.
All these flaws would ordinarily garner a film a one out of four. One thing saves this movie completely. That is Vivek. The funny man has never been funnier. Every sentence he utters is hysterical, and the comedy is very classy and not crude at all. Singlehandedly, he saves the film, brings it to a three out of four.
Jothika seems to act adequately, but she has grown quite fat. Simran, on the other end of the spectrum, seems too skinny, but acts well. Newcomer Shaam is the next Madhavan -- a one-hit mannan who will be quite popular with teenage girls. If he picks his scripts right, he has a good future in Tamil cinema.
An interesting but badly done storyline (with an ending stolen from "Alai Payuthey.") Painfully funny funny comedy. Entertaining but altogether only okay movie.
Cameos from Hindi actor Sunil Shetty and once-upon-a-time Hindi actress Moon Moon Sen. Also a cameo voice-over by Parthipan.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
Great great songs. Harris Jayaraj's second great album (after "Minnalae" -- I'm not a fan of "Majnu"). "Love Pannu" and "Poovae Vai Pesum" are my favorites. The other songs are all very listenable.
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch the film in the theater for the colors and the songs. If you're not impressed by all that, watch it on video.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN