'Veluthukattu' (Tamil, 2010)
Director: Senapathimagan
Cast: Kathir, Arundathi, Archana Sharma, Director Raja, Muthuraj, Bhanu
How love can change a youth’s life and transform him from a wayward irresponsible person to a responsible one, is the message the film conveys.
With a debutant director at the helm, the freshers in the lead fit in suitably.
Set in a rural milieu it is about childhood sweethearts who carry their feelings into adulthood. Kathir — the rebellious one, and Arakkani, the pampered daughter of fairly affluent parents. Touchy about anyone causing distress to his girl, Kathir (the actor gets his nuances right) would hit out at them violently, while she is indulgent towards his irresponsible lifestyle and violent ways.
But a time comes when under family pressure she is forced to issue an ultimatum to him. He would have to prove his worth if he wants to marry her. Kathir sets out to the city to earn a livelihood. His struggle there, and Arakkani’s long uncertain wait forms the rest of the film. The closing scenes after shuttling between the tragic and the joyful, is steered to a forced finale.
It’s the earlier episodes in the city that are better etched. Kathir’s steady rise from a server in a college canteen, to owning his own fast food mobile eatery is convincing. But not his sudden rise to being the owner of a star hotel. Some of the lines and scenes provide humour of the unintended variety.
The script could have been more consistent. As a debutant’s effort it is at the most a passable one.