Naan (Tamil)

Fairly engaging psychological thriller.
Naan (Tamil)

Naan has music director Vijay Antony debuting as an actor. And Jeeva Shankar, a cinematographer (Ananda Thandavam), picking up the megaphone for the first time. This unusual teaming has resulted in a film that is a fairly engaging psychological thriller.

Antony fits in suitably in the role of a man who doesn’t hesitate to resort to extreme measures when his hard-earned identity, achievements and future are threatened. It’s a role with grey shades and the actor plays it with efficiency.

The opening scenes depict Antony’s deprived childhood, where the seeds of violence are sown. The director takes us through his past and the unsavoury events that made him the moody, brooding man he now is. A victim of destiny, he soon learns to turn events to his advantage. It gets him entry into a medical college.

That also leads to the emergence of a person who would grab and protect what he wanted, at any cost.

And finally, just as he is erasing the scars of the past and creating his own identity, comes a turn of events that threaten to expose him and his deceptiveness. The inspiration seems to be the Matt Damon film The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Sidharth, as Antony's wealthy benefactor, is lively and peps up the scenes. There are some cleverly scripted moments when Antony deals with people and situations that can expose him. Like the one where he misleads Sidharth's distressed girlfriend Rupa (the Thiru thiru thuru thuru actress blends well into her role) into believing that Sidharth was at home but didn’t want to meet her.

There are the loopholes and glitches particularly in the latter part. Like the  enquiry on Sidharth's disappearance and his friend’s murder. What keeps one engaged is the smooth narrative, some interesting moments and the suspense element that is maintained throughout.

Focused in his narration, the director has appreciably avoided distracting elements like duets and inane comedy.

Antony's songs are peppy, youthful and well picturised, with Makka laya being the pick of the lot. The open ending suggests a sequel. A promising debut by the Antony-Shankar team. Lovers of suspense  thrillers can give this a viewing.

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