Film: Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal
Director: Vasanth Cast: Arjun, Cheran, Vimal, Muktha Bhanu, Surveen, Lasini
After a six-year sabbatical, director Vasanth returns with his new film Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal. He depicts three love stories set against varied backdrops. The director’s aesthetic sense is evident in every shot, each a stunning visual treat. The film has lofty ideals, and depicts love and sacrifice in its purest form. But one gets the feel that Vasanth has not been able to successfully translate onto screen his ideas the way he intended.
There are sequences that are brilliantly executed and touch a chord in us; but at times the narration is sloppy and confusing as to what exactly the director intends to convey.
It’s an interesting premise - about three men, their loves, and their sacrifices. Their dreams may be shattered, their love lost. But there is no regret, only a sense of fulfilment, love transcending its narrow confines. The first story is the Varun-Anjana one (Vimal-Lasini), set against the lush landscape of a hill station. As Varun, a chartered accountant, talks to his friend about his wooing Anjana, and raves about her charm, the director keeps her away from the camera. A wise move. For, after that heavy build-up when we finally get to see her, she’s a disappointment. Vimal is miscast, his whole demeanour and diction unsuitable for the role. A disappointing episode, it gives an unfinished feel, never reaching a satisfactory finale.
The second is the Guna-Mallika love (Cheran-Bhanu), neatly handled. This time the backdrop is the coastal terrain where Guna runs an NGO that rehabilitates criminals out of jail. Believing in giving minimalist expressions, Cheran is adequate in the role of the do-gooder, who goes about stoically doing his bit for social outcasts. Bhanu is impressive as the girl who stands by Guna’s ideals, and like him is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for a bigger cause. The best of the three, and the one that touches an emotional chord is the Harris-Divya episode. Set in urban Chennai, it’s about a swimming coach and his protege. Despite being in a relationship with the latter, Harris is a hard taskmaster. His goal is to train Divya for the Olympic gold medal. The scenes of training are well executed. Arjun is perfectly cast, his chemistry with the glamorous Surveen sizzling. The director has tried to link the three, but there is no real common thread visible. The narration could have been crisper.
Rithwik (son of the director) makes his appearance in a dance number. Yuvan Shankar has composed some very pleasant melodies, which have been beautifully picturised. Visually appealing and spiritually uplifting, the film could have done with more coherence and clarity in its screenplay.
