'Paagan' (Tamil)
Director: Aslam
Cast: Srikanth, Janani Iyer, Kovai Sarla and others
After playing the supporting role in the blockbuster ‘Nanban’, Srikanth returns as a solo hero in ‘Paagan’. He plays Subbu, a carefree youth from a lower economic strata, whose aim in life is to make quick money. Along with his friends (Soory and Pandi), he ventures into various businesses tricking people and ending with losses. How he learns the value of life and relationships the hard way forms the rest. It’s an effortless performance from Srikanth, who retains a fresh youthful look.
The film has an unusual opening where a bicycle, Subbu’s prized possession, narrates the happenings in its owner’s life. His constant companion since childhood, and later in all his failed endeavours, including love, the cycle was a silent witness to all the ups and downs in his master’s life. The duo share a strong bonding - Subbu not willing to trade it for a moped that his father bought for him; and the cycle making the ultimate sacrifice and pulling his master out of a dangerous situation. The cycle is like another character in the story and gets its fair share of caressing close-ups. Aslam’s (apprenticed with Ameer) concept is refreshing and appreciable. After various failed attempts to make money the trio hits upon an idea. Subbu would feign love to Mahalakshmi, the local bigwig’s daughter (Janani Iyer). For, marriage to her would mean coming into big money. But matters don’t go as planned and Subbu leaves the place. Janani Iyer (of ‘Avan Ivan’) gels well with her role. The film has its humorous touches, but its slow pace and a jerky narration at times is a deterrent.
The scene shifts from Pollachi to Tirupur, where Subbu goes to make some money, and gets to rejoin his two friends. Strong support is rendered by Pandi and Soory. Hilarious is the scene where a depressed Subbu insists on reading lines from Mahalakshmi’s diary to the bored duo.
Kovai Sarala as Subbu’s mother is her usual loud self, getting only a couple of moments to generate some genuine humour. ‘Paagan’ may not be the best script going, but it has its share of fun moments. It is an appreciable effort by a debutant maker to diverge slightly from the routine scenario.