Film: Aaha Kalyanam |
Director: A Gokul Krishna |
Cast: Nani, Vaani Kapoor, Badava Gopi, M J Sriram, Kartik Nagarajan
It was a film that had earned both critical acclaim and audience favour for its refreshing plot line, engaging screenplay, and spirited performances. And now Band Baaja Baaraat comes to Tamil as Aaha Kalyanam. Debutant director Gokul Krishna (former assistant of Vishnuvardhan) has thankfully not tampered with the earlier version, following it faithfully. And he has managed to capture the feel and essence of the original. With this film the prestigious banner of Yash Raj - which had produced the Hindi version - makes its foray into the South.
It centres around two youngsters of contrasting characters who end up teaming together on a business venture. Shruti (Vaani, of the Hindi Shudh Desi Romance) has a well planned life and is a stickler for rules. Her aim is to become a leading wedding planner of the city. Shakti (Nani of Naan Ee fame) is easy going, and would do anything to stay back in the city and not return to his village, once he has graduated. They meet and ultimately team up to open their own wedding planner company. They make a pact that they wouldn’t ever mix business with romance. The film is about what happens when the pact is broken. Lead players Nani and Vaani share pleasant screen chemistry. Spirited in their portrayals, their easy camaraderie, tiffs and bickering are a delight to watch. One forgets that the hero speaks in Telugu-accented-Tamil (a character cheekily points to it), and the heroine looks far from belonging to a traditional south Indian family. The duo’s performance is the key strength of the film. The dialogue (Rajiv Rajaram) is laced with quirky wit and humour.
The film has high production values and technical finesse. With so many weddings taking place, it’s a vibrant colourful ambience of merry making and festive spirit. Dharan’s song numbers are youthful and peppy, enhancing the mood. The camera (Loganathan Srinivasan) captures the feel, and the richness and lavishness of the ambience. The love-making scene is aesthetically shot. The costumes are tastefully designed. Among the supporting cast, Badav Gopi leaves his mark. Simran looks gorgeous in a guest appearance as a wedding planner. Krishna’s one-scene pop up as the cop is hilarious. ‘Aaha Kalyanam’ is a feel good, heart warming entertainer that one wouldn’t regret watching.