After a promising debut in Vamsam, Arulnidhi has once again given a commendable performance in his second film Udhayan. And like most heroes who love to showcase their prowess in action-centric roles, the actor too has opted for one here. While his earlier film had a rural backdrop, here the plot shuttles between the urban and the rural, the actor getting to sport two contrasting looks.
The film opens in Karur where a thug (Ashish Vidyarthi) and his gang of henchmen are shown zooming around in their cars through various places and questioning people. It is understood that they are obviously searching for someone. There is another rival gang in action too but are shown in the later half of the movie. The director opens his narration with a light suspense. The weapons in their hands and their menacing attitude, all suggest that we are in for another aruvaal — an old fashioned vendetta saga. And it’s soon proved right.
The scene shifts to Chennai where Vasanth (Arulnidhi) an officer in a bank lives happy-go lucky life. The mood turns lighter here, and events move at a fairly interesting pace as romance enters Vasanth’s life. It’s love at first sight for the hero when he spots the chubby heroine Priya at a traffic junction, and bumps on her two wheeler to have a glimpse of her. She reciprocates fast enough, quite charmed by his persistent wooing.
Debutant director Chaplin has infused little touches of humour in the romantic interludes. Particularly in the episodes involving Priya’s mother, where Vasanth charms her mother. Arulnidhi’s seems to be comfortable in performing the lighter scenes. Pranathi has a lovely smile, and smiles most of the way through her role, her display of emotions very child-like. Livening up the narration at times is Santhanam with his one-liners. He plays a loan recovery agent in the bank, and the hero’s buddy. The scenes where he goes to recover the loan from slippery and at times aggressive customers, generates a couple of laughs.
When Vasanth’s life is cruising on a smooth course, a sudden turn of events creates havoc in his life. The suspense of the earlier scenes is unravelled in a flashback, and we get to learn of Vasanth’s relationship with the two warring groups of thugs. The climax is gory where Vasanth settles the grievances of the past. It’s a script where the hero is required to carry the whole burden of the film on his shoulders. Arulnidhi who gets to sport two different looks, a pleasant cheerful one, and a rough demeanour, has done his roles with ease.
Udhayan apart from it’s few enjoyable moments, particularly in the earlier part, is a staple masala fare. With a story-line that is oft- repeated and predictable, it’s a passable entertainer.