With a cast of fresh faces and a debutant director at the helm, Nugam has a theme that is contemporary and relevant. It takes a stand on terrorism and conveys the need for peaceful co-existence, and regard for human lives. It’s appreciable that debutant director Jeffy has struck a note different from the routine formula style, and tried to make a meaningful film. But the various elements of suspense, thrill, romance and action, could have been balanced more judiciously.
The plot centres around two merceneries Jai and Kathir (Jeybala, Vijay Kumar), who are hired by foreign agents to assassinate a powerful central minister during his visit to Chennai. The director maintains the suspense element in the opening scenes. For the cynical Jai, it’s angst against humanity in general. While for Kathir it’s the sheer ‘thrill’ and excitement of the act. But as events unfold, the equation between the duo change, their contrasting characters coming into play. Interesting are the scenes where the duo surmount difficulties like getting a suitable house without arousing suspicion. They strike a friendship with hotel supervisor Suresh (Suresh) and his friend Pandyan, the unsuspecting duo grateful for the liberal financial help doled out to them. These moments provide an insight on how terrorists use innocent locals in their scheme of things. The actors fit suitably in their roles. Debutant Jeybala essays the challenging role of the ruthless terrorist with conviction and cool precision. There is also the romantic angle. While Kathir falls for a girl in the neighbourhood (Iniya), Suresh relentlessly pursues a girl he was smitten by. But much of the screen time and space is taken up by Suresh’s romantic escapades, and the song dance routine which distract the flow. There is a smattering of various languages especially French. The director gets over it by having subtitles (long ones), or by getting a conversation translated by another character. But Jai’s Tamil accent varies drastically from the hesitant accented Tamil, to a very fluent one, as the narration progresses. The lip sync in the earlier scenes too is missing.
The story shifts focus to different characters, at times making one wonder who or what the real focus was. The director gets his grip back in the closing scenes. Jai’s challenge to Kathir - he would give up his plan of sabotage, if Kathir could find him three men of integrity and honesty- provides some interesting moments. Appreciable is the unpredictability of the events leading to the film’s finale. The visuals of man-made disasters and various bomb blasts across the country over the years, touch a chord.
Verdict: The plot had the potential to turn into an absorbing experience. A clearer, more coherent screenplay, and a tighter grip on the narration, would have made for a riveting experience.
Film: Nugam
Director: Jeffy
Cast- Jeybala,Vijay Kumar, Iniya, Suresh, Preethi, Karthik,Ganja karupu.