'Ayyan' (Tamil, Drama)
Director: Kendran Muniyasamy
Cast: Vasan Karthik, Divyapadmini, 'Pitamagan' Mahadevan and others
Set in a rural milieu, 'Ayyan' depicts the rivalry between two bigwigs of the place, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Pandian is politically ambitious, and a schemer. While his uncle Arumugha Thevar is upright and a much respected village elder.
Pandian feigns respect for his uncle, as he is dependent on Thevar to garner votes for him in the next election. But Pandian’s wrong-doings at one point alienates his uncle from him, resulting in Thevar deciding to contest in the election himself. Caught in the crossfire is Thevar’s son Muniyasami (Vassan of 'Maamadurai'),and his lady love Selvi (Divya Padmini). The lead pair have performed with fair competence.
There is an intelligent touch where Selvi’s father, a great admirer of Argentinian revolutionary, Che Guevara, urges the villagers to fight against injustice, with his street-corner speeches. The feisty, spirited Selvi taking inspiration from her dad and having read Guevara’s books, passes them on to Muniyasami.
The latter leading a carefree life with no focus, seems to have got inspired by this writing. But unfortunately the Guevara-influence is limited to these few scenes. And is in no way reflected in the happenings that follow, where Selvi and Muniyasami fight against Pandian’s oppressive ways.
The director does seem to have some fresh ideas. But doesn’t seem to know how exactly to implement them and integrate them with the plot. In the climax too, the director sticks to the typically ‘heroic’, and the predictable.
Though Selvi belongs to a different social strata, it’s commendable that the director hasn’t made an issue of it. Selvi is treated like a member of the Thevar family, Thevar even allowing her to have her say in his confrontations with Pandian.
The director does not elaborate on quite a few of the situations and relationships, trusting his viewers’ intelligence to figure them out. For instance, there is no detailing in the relationship between Pandian and his uncle, nor of how love developed between Selvi and Muniyasami. So, the narration at times may seem a tad jumpy to an average viewer. Viewed as a debutant director’s work, 'Ayyan' is a promising effort.