Film:Nalanum Nandiniyum
Director:R Venkatesan
Cast:Michael, Nanditha, Soory, Jayaprakash, Azhagam Perumal Chams
In films centred on love with a ‘happy ending’, the post marriage scenario is rarely touched upon. With a difference, director R Venkatesan (who had apprenticed with Venkat Prabhu) portrays the relationship between the couple, as they try to cope with the vicissitudes of life. It’s a compact (just about two hours duration) and neatly crafted film. The director doesn’t go overboard with sentiments and melodrama, despite there being enough room for it.
It’s about childhood friends and cousins, who decide to get married. But with the bitter running feud between the families, it’s not easy for the duo. They secretly get married hoping that the families would reconcile their differences and accept them. But rejected, they go to Chennai to start a new life. Jobless and with no support, it’s about their struggle to cope with the various personal and professional problems they encounter. Debutant Michael (winner of the TV reality show ‘Jodi No I’) has a pleasant screen presence and essays his role of Nalan with casual ease. Nanditha is a revelation. Portraying Nandini, she is nothing like her earlier bubbly roles. Nandini goes through various phases of life.
It’s a journey of a simple shy girl from a small town to a confident independent woman who takes up the responsibility of running the family, standing by her husband and lending him moral support when he loses confidence. She handles the character with maturity and finesse and her performance is the mainstay of the film. The scenes between the couple have a natural flow and feel. Nandini handles situations with aplomb, especially when she finds a jobless Nalan whiling away his time, playing with the neighbourhood kids and as an aspiring filmmaker, feeling depressed when he faces rejection.
The film has its weak moments. Like, it’s a little difficult to digest that Nalan who was focused and clear of his goals earlier suddenly becomes irresponsible. Passionate about films and aspiring to be a film director, Nalan, after the early scene of shooting a short film in his home town, seems to make no move in that direction. It’s only towards the fag end that he perks up. Supporting actors like Jayaprakash and Azhagam Perumal fit in neatly. There are no forced in fights and inane comedy. Even Soory’s comic antics are toned down and in tune with the situation. Heartwarming and positive in its feel, it delivers much more than expected.