'Potta Potti 50-50' (Tamil)
Director: Yuvaraaj
Cast Sadagopan Ramesh, Harini, Mayilsami, R. Sivan, ‘Avatar’ Ganesh, Umar
He has entertained spectators on the cricket field and now renowned cricketer Sadagopan Ramesh comes to regale the audience on the big screen with ‘Potta Potti’.
Playing himself, Ramesh is confident and at ease in front of the camera, and plays his part with quiet assurance. His funny side is also seen in this film. The role that allows him to be his natural self without resorting to excess ‘heroism’, and the absence of the typical dream song-dance routine, works to his advantage. There was one potential fight-scene, where the audience might expect the hero to display muscle power, but the director admirably structures it to turn it into something completely unexpected, lending more realism to the character and sequence.
A romantic angle is there, but with Ramesh playing himself, one wonders whether it is necessary. The film, set in a rural milieu, is helmed by debutant writer-director Yuvaraaj (the film’s co-producer, too).
Centered around a cricket match played between two warring cousins, one can draw quite a few parallels with the iconic ‘Lagaan’. But ‘Lagaan’ had a much bigger canvas and a larger issue at its core and also a fairly experienced director and a seasoned hero- producer.
Here, both the producer V Muraliraman, and the director are first-timers. The budget is modest, and the cast of about thirty or so are freshers on screen. Also, the issue the cricket match is fought over initially is a small one. Working within these constraints, the director has done a commendable job of keeping the audience engaged. The film is eminently watchable for its two hours of viewing time.
The film opens with the rivalry and crazy antics of the two cousins, Kodaivanan and Kolaivanan (Sivam, Umar). As the narration progresses and the characters are established, you get drawn to them and involved with the happenings. Sivam and Umar play their respective roles with understanding.
The rest of the characters around them are colourful too, like that of Avataram, (‘Avatar’ Ganesh) the dull witted sidekick of Kodaivanan. ‘Avatar’ Ganesh is the show stealer many a time with his split comic timing getting some of the best lines in the film.
The director keeps his narration light-hearted, the dialogue sparkling and witty. The scenes where Ramesh and gang go around the village selecting their team evoke a few laughs. There is Mayilsamy, delightful as the conman, who comes to coach the Kolaivanan group for the cricket match.
With the entry of Ramesh and Mayilsamy the narration picks up pace.
Ramesh, touring through that area, loses his way and is roped in by the Kodaivanan gang as their coach, making sure that he doesn’t escape the place. Raja Muhammad’s crisp editing adds essence to the film.
The director provides his take on some of the on-field antics of our cricketers like their sledging, or their forming a huddle before a match commences. Though one can predict the outcome of the match, it still manages to bring you to the edge of your seat in the thrilling finale. The director also conveys a relevant message on the need to preserve nature and protect our environment.
‘PottaPpotti’ stays away from set patterns of film making, and proves yet again that a quality film can be made within a modest budget.
