A meticulously crafted screenplay, some exciting action-chase sequences, stunning locales and some catchy song picturisations, makes Ayan a thoroughly engaging fare. It’s KV Anand’s second directorial venture after 'Kana Kandein'. And the director has weaved in a judicious quotient of sentiment and humour, and a cute love story, into this vibrant, racy, script (KV -Subha) .
For Suriya, who has essayed some serious roles in his recent films, it’s a more breezy character this time. His character Deva is more in the ‘heroic’ mould, allowing enough space to go through the entire gamut of emotions. And the actor cruises through it all with effortless ease and a cheeky charm. His first pairing with Tamannah and their wonderful screen chemistry lends a fresh appeal to their scenes. For the cute vivacious actress, it’s her first step to big-time. Tamannah is a face to watch out for.
The plot shifts ambience, fast and furious, through locales of South Africa and Malaysia, where Deva’s diamond smuggling racket takes him. Ingenuous in his methods of hiding them from the hawk eyes of the customs officer (an impressive Ponvannan), who has his eyes on Deva, and waits for him to make a false move. Deva’s mentor is Doss (Prabhu), who trades the diamonds to a Seth, a reputed jeweler of the place. The latter staunchly believes in the age old adage of honour among thieves,. But not so his son Kamlesh, untrustworthy, ambitious and arrogant. Dabbling in illicit drug trafficking despite his father’s warnings, ,Kamlesh aspires to be one up on Deva. And it was bound to have its repercussions. It’s a finale one would root for. KV’s antagonists are as interesting as his protagonists. If he had introduced Prithwiraj as the suave,charming baddie in his earlier film, here it’s the handsome hunk Akashdeep Saigal (a regular in Ektha kapoor’s serials), who is eminently watchable as Kamlesh,the wayward villain of the piece. Prabhu gets an interesting role as Doss, who runs the smuggling racket, and the actor plays it with quiet assurance. Jegan gets noticed as the Chitty, Deva’s buddy, with a trick up his sleeve. The light banter in the scenes involving him, Tamannah, and suriya is interesting. Karunas may not get to do much comedy here, but he is a significant participant in the story. KV’s technical team has co-ordinated ably to enhance the entertainment quotient of the film, an AVM production, presented by Sun Pictures. The script no doubt has it’s flaws, and it’s few lagging moments. Where you find a couple of fights and an item number forced in. Slick stylised and racy, Ayan is sheer, unpretentious entertainment. You wouldn’t get bored with this one.
expresso@epmltd.com