'Pachai Engira Kaathu' (Tamil)
Director: Keera
Cast: Vaasagar, Devathai, Valavan, Mura, Satyabhama, Thulasi
Set in a rural milieu, the film has a set of fresh faces donning the lead roles, and a debutant director at the helm. And though it revolve around the happenings in the life of a rowdy, director Keera’s (apprenticed with Thankar Bachan) offbeat treatment lends certain freshness to the narration.
There is inherent humour in the characterization of rowdy Pachai, essayed with a natural flair by debutant Vaasagar (a directorial assistant in films). The actor’s whole demeanour and body language is apt for the role, his character and performance the key strength of the film.
The theme reestablishes the dictum that you reap what you sow. Pachai was a bane not just for the villagers but for his own father who berated him for his irresponsible ways. Pampered by his mother who indulged his vices, he was unprincipled, callous and insensitive to the feelings of others. Dabbling in local politics, he was the handyman of a politician who used him to get at his rivals.
But irreverent and ambitious, Pachai was more than a match for him. His fondness for Selvi, a high school girl (Devathai adequate in her role), is not reciprocated. Though she had a soft corner for him, his hurtful actions had alienated her too. It’s a hilarious scene where Pachai finds a way to help out Selvi during her exams. The fights are realistic.
The finale is a gory one where Pachai’s nemesis catches up with him; he in a drunken stupor not realising what was in store for him. The film may lose out on style, but has a strong content and unusual characterisation. And it is this that makes it watchable despite the inadequacies. Like its inconsistent colour tone and patchy cinematography at places. Small budgeted with no big names to boast of, the film despite its flaws is refreshing, and a promising effort from a debutant filmmaker.