Set in Madurai, Aayiram Vilakku revolves around the bonding between two men. One is Lingam, an aging don with no family ties, the other Gopal, an orphan with a humble background. The two go through a journey of self discovery, each filling up the emotional void in the other’s life. The film is scripted and directed by Hosimin ( of February 14 ), who returns to the screen after a long hiatus.
The don’s sudden yearning for a son, and his confidant’s (Delhi Ganesh neatly fits in) suggestion that he adopt a 20 plus youth ( ‘too late in the day to adopt a small boy’), has Lingam sending out his men to scout for a suitable candidate. Amusing is the scene in which the don tries to make a selection from the youths presented before him.
While most are not up to his standard, the only ‘suitable’ one does the vanishing act when he realises who his ‘father’ will be. The comedy of errors and mistaken identities that bring the protagonists Lingam and Gopal (Satyaraj- Shanthnoo) face-to-face, are fairly well crafted. Circumstances mislead Gopal’s co-workers in the mill to think that he is the right hand of the dreaded Lingam. And Gopal, revelling in the new found respect of his friends and neighbours, keeps up the pretense.
Meanwhile, Lingam, impressed by Gopal as he had earlier witnessed him in a life-saving act, decides he will make an ideal ‘son’. There is a case of a mix-up here, when Gopal mistakes the don for Kannayiram, a worker’s relative who comes to collect his pay, Lingam keeping up the pretense. Gopal’s patronising attitude towards Lingam, and the latter’s amused compliance generate some fun moments. The interplay between the two actors works out well here. The touch point for the plot seems to be films like Analyse That. It’s a simple script without many frills, and fairly smoothly narrated. Satyaraj, adept at handling lighter roles, has no problem fitting in. Shanthnoo is adequate, but is getting stereotyped in these cute, cheerful kind of characters. A makeover would be to the actor’s advantage.
In a two-men bonding saga, Sana Khan as Gopal’s beloved has less to do. While the happenings are mildly interesting, what the script lacks is punch and fritz. The pace is sluggish at places. The scenes between Lingam and Gopal could have been more layered. Also, the sub plot of the warring gangsters could have been developed better. The villains of the piece Ratnam (Suman) and ‘Dilli’ (Kamaraju), rivals of Lingam and Gopal respectively, make a lot of noise about destroying the duo. But take a long time to get into the act.
Suman, normally a controlled actor, seems disinterested here, the role offering him no challenge.
Kamraju screams his head off each time he appears on screen. The director could have guided him better.
Aayiram Vilakku is no doubt a gangster saga with a difference. But with its plot line not exploited to its full potential, the film is mildly entertaining at the most.