'Thulli Ezhunthathu Kadhal' (Tamil)
Director: Srihari Nanu
Cast- Raja ,Haripriya, Bhoomika
A coming of age story, the plot centers on a group of eight, friends since their high school days.
Traversing with them through their school, college and post college days, the film touches on friendship and love, the bickerings and the misunderstandings.
A dubbed version of the Telugu flick 'Thakita Thakita' ( a 2010 release and the debut production venture of actor Bhoomika), it makes a belated entry in Tamil with few portions re-shot (like Tamil boards and newspapers) to lend a local flavour.
The dubbing work is impressive, the voices suitable to the characters. The narration moves back and forth in time,the time-factor a tad confusing.
The earlier part begins with the introduction of the 8 characters through a voice-over. Incidentally in the earlier version, it was actor Nagarjuna in a guest appearance who had done the introduction.
The characters include a couple Sri and Vandana, who though in love dont disclose it for their own reasons; a bickering twosome who realise that they are soulmates; and the fat Scud, who gets some laughs with his ‘explosive’ act.
The foreign student in her midst is more a caricature, her bizarre sporadic laughs jarring.
The actors, mostly debutants, are earnest in their performances.
Anushka appears as herself in a scene. A gorgeous Bhoomika plays a teacher, her role not much to talk of.
Bobo Sasi’s songs are youthful and suitably placed.
The narration disjointed, jerky and dragging at times, could have done with more clarity. The characters lack depth and we neither connect with their emotions nor their problems. The crucial happening when the group go on a trip to Bangalore, lacks conviction.
The director uses the Rubic cube to convey the philosophy of life. There is a half-hearted attempt to take on various issues like lovers suicides, and vindictive paybacks by jilted lovers.
Various films like 'Ullam Kelkumae' and 'Inidhi Inidhu' (‘Happy Days’) have dealt with the coming-of-age scenario. 'Thulli Ezhunthathu....' is yet another on the list.
The Verdict: Humorous at few places, it however offers nothing novel by way of script or presentation.