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Pennin Manathi Thottu
Director: Ezhil
Cast: Prabhu Deva, Jaya Sheel,
Sharat Kumar, Aishwaria, Kaveri, Vivek, Vyapuri, Mouli.
The film
works at two levels. At one level, it depicts the deep bonding
between two brothers, Balaram, a notorious rowdy, and his younger
sibling Sunil, a medical student. Balaram, apprehensive that
Sunil, short tempered and emotional, might follow in his
footsteps, gives him the best education he can. But Sunil, touchy
where his brother is concerned, picks up quarrels with anyone who
dares to voice anything negative about Balaram. As a result, he
has had to change colleges many a time. The arrival of Sunita
brings about a change in his attitude, though his lack of
seriousness at times irks Sunita. The two fall in love.
The scenes of their growing intimacy are handled very naturally by the director. At one point, Sunita's unscrupulous brother-in-law tries to force her into marriage with an unsavoury character. Sunita and her sister wait for Sunil to save Sunita from the situation, as he had promised he would. And when Sunil does arrive, it is too late. For, Sunita's sister seing no way out, commits suicide to stop the marriage. Sunita, holding Sunil responsible, parts ways with him. Years later, when the two meet, he is a cardiac surgeon of repute and she has her sister's child to take care of. Only then does she realise the reason why Sunil arrived late that day. She rushes to apologise, but Sunil is on his way to Canada for a new assignment.
The story
does have its flaws. But the freshness in the situations and the
treatment makes it an engaging entertainer. The characters are
clearly defined and their interactions brought out very
naturally. Manikandan's camerawork is effective and S.A.
Rajkumar's song numbers are catchy (like 'Kannukulle Unnai).
After playing roadside Romeo in most of his films, Prabhu Deva
gets a suave look here. He plays his role with understanding and
sensitivity. This may well be the film that would give his
stagnant career the needed boost. Jaya Sheel, a model, has the
glamour and talent and brings out well the various nuances of the
character. Sharat Kumar and Aishwaria in supporting roles are
commendable. Here is one film where one enjoys Vivek's comedy.
Vyapuri as the mute servant, who desperately tries to convince
Sunita of Sunil's innocence and sincerity, steals the scene in
the final sequence. Director Ezhil who tasted success with his
very first film 'Thullatha Manamum Thullum', proves yet again
that within the parameters of commercial cinema one can make a
film that is a clean engaging entertainer.