'Milaka' (Tamil, 2010)
Director: S Ravimariya
Cast: Natraj, Poongodi, Suja, Singampuli, Rajendran, Ravimariya, Ilavarasu, Jagannath, GM Kumar, Mayi Sunder
How one little act of thoughtlessness can backfire and lead to the destruction of an entire family`s happiness, and nearly ruin a girl’s life, forms the core of the film.
Cinematographer-turned- actor Natraj in his third outing, chooses an action centric role which goes well with his rough unconventional looks.
Natraj plays Azhagar a gutsy youth, who uses his brawn to help out friends in distress, and teach their tormentors a lesson. Watching him in his act is Thenmozhi, a girl held a prisoner in the house of Rajendran, a gangster (the reason revealed in a flashback). The latter`s goons keep a hawk’s eye on her movements.
She finds in Azhagar a saviour who could rescue her from her plight and she puts her plan in action.
Azhagar comes to her aid, only to find himself unwittingly drawn into the affairs of the gangster-brothers.
The episode where Azhagar’s grandparents are on the run from Rajendran is enjoyable — they take a lift from his unsuspecting goons, misguide them, and reach their destination safe. With his perfect comic timing, Singampuli sparkles as Azhagar’s friend. The film, yet another Madurai- based plot, abounds in clichés and stereotypes.
But director Ravimariya (he neatly essays the crucial role of Rajendran’s mentally imbalanced brother), keeps it fairly engaging by his lighthearted treatment, the couple of twists in the plot, and a pace which rarely lags.