It’s an anthology of two films that director S A Chandrasekaran takes on this time. Both have different plots and actors and are set in contrasting backdrops. While one is an urban mature love story, the other is rural-centric, dealing with a social evil.
The first, Love at 75 is about Antony, a 75-year-old man, who goes in search of his long-lost love Hema, a North Indian Hindu girl. Theirs was a five-year-old love affair and the duo had planned a church-marriage. But she had suddenly disappeared from his life. Antony, who was told that she was spotted at Shimla, takes a trip to the hill station with no clue how to find her.
It’s flashback mode, as we learn of the love affair from Antony, who narrates it to two petty thieves he strikes a friendship with. It’s slipshod screenplay, inept narration and pathetic performances, makes the whole scenario unintentionally funny. SAC who takes on a lead role for the first time, had given better performances in his cameos in earlier films. But here he seems totally out of his elements.
The second story, Selvi Anjaam Vaguppu, centres on the rape and killing of Selvi, a minor, and her sister Poonkodi’s revenge. The script also includes illegal sand mining; the murder of a tahsildar; and the investigation by two TV journalists.
Poonkodi’s manner of vendetta is largely related to below-the-belt actions, but there’s not much to root for here either, with the whole scenario lacking finesse. SAC introduces an actress of calibre here in Sunulakshmi. The debutante reveals potential as the vendetta driven Poonkodi, a maid at the house of bigwigs.
The second film is a tad better than the first, but that’s as far as it goes!