Udhayanidhi takes a break from fun-filled characters and plays a more sober role in ‘Gethu’. There is less of humour here, his Sethu a more emotional and an action -oriented character, and it’s a neat performance.
The story straddles two divergent plots, converging at a point. One focusing on the father-son bonding, is about how a son tries to extricate his father from a problem the latter had got himself into. The other is about a ruthless sniper with a mission. Though fairly neatly scripted and executed, its pace is rather leisurely. Also the screenplay could have done with more punch and fritz.
Tulsiraman a PT master draws the ire of some antisocial elements when he raises his voice against a bar located near the school. And when one of the rowdies is found murdered, he is hauled up by the cops. For Sathyaraj it’s not a very difficult role to perform. The bonding between the father and son is a pleasant one, though not many emotional moments are shown.
Vikranth with his sleek new look and poise displays great attittude and style as the mysterious hit man. Unfortunately the character is not fleshed out to its potential. After the promising introduction scene, it’s much later when we have almost forgotten him, that he is brought back into the picture. Also, the possibility of intrigue and chaos suggested in the character’s opening scene is never really followed up.The camera (Sukumar) captures the right feel and mood in the night-shots where Sethu and his father first encounter the killer. This scene is one of the better ones in the film.
Other supporting characters like Anuradha’s menacing female don, and Vijayan’s thug, seem to be just add -ons. The integrating of the two plots seems rushed through, the hero having an easy time taking on the ruthless killer. Amy Jackson cuts a pretty picture as Nandini who can’t stop herself from stealing books from a library. There are the initial moments of playful conflict between her and Sethu, and the falling in love. But Nandini seems to be there more to give company to the hero in the song-dance routine. Capsuled within just about 118 minutes, the film too simplistic and predictable in its take, is at the most a mildly pleasant watch.
Film: Gethu
Director: K Thirukumaran
Cast: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Sathyaraj, Amy Jackson,Vikranth, Karunakaran