An unusual concept, a refreshing screenplay handled with sensitivity and some fine performances make Pichaikaran an eminently watchable film. The streak of realism despite the unconventional theme makes one connect to characters.
Working across varied genres and themes, Vijay Antony has honed his acting skill over the years. His selection of suitable scripts is appreciable and so is his involvement. Essaying Arul with extreme competence, Antony seems to have come of age as an actor here.
Sasi’s characters have shown extreme devotion, bordering on obsession, in their expression of love for their loved one. In Sollamalae, the protagonist feigning to be dumb to impress his lady love, had cut his tongue to make his fictional story turn into reality. Here, Arul a young business tycoon in a state of distress at the medical condition of his mother, as penance opts to lead the life of a beggar for a certain period. The director doesn’t waste much time in establishing his characters. The bonding between the mother and son and their rags to riches story is conveyed in quick montage shots.
Arul’s lackadaisical attitude towards life undergoes a change when his mother due to a freak accident in their factory, goes into a coma. Heeding the words of a godman, and as a last resort, an initially reluctant Arul decides to do penance. He would forgo his luxurious lifestyle for a period of 48 days. He would start each day as a pauper and beg for a living. There is humour in the scenes where Raja (Moorthy) the beggar gives him tips on how to beg. The plight of beggars and the attitude of society towards them are well depicted.
The love interludes between Arul and Mahi who runs a Pizza — eatery is cute and warm. It’s a touching moment where Arul refusing to take the money handed over to him by Mahi, accepts the same when it’s given to him as alms. Satna, a promising find, performs her role with perfect understanding.
There is a consistency in the narration and character etching. Even the actors/characters that appear for brief periods leave their mark. The mother-son bonding being the fulcrum of the plot, there was enough room for melodrama and emotional manipulation. But Sasi steers clear of it. He draws the viewers into his narration with his insightful take on his characters and their situations. Moorthy is aptly cast as the beggar Raja with his instinctive take on humans and their behaviour. These scenes are laced with humour and witty lines. There is this scene where he calls up an FM radio station and airs his views on the economy and the way in which black money could be handled. The RJ then remarks, that the caller seemed to be a foreign -educated man.
Songs (Vijay Antony) blend well with the narration and fights are ably choreographed. Striking a chord different from the routine ones, Pichaikaaran is definitely worth a watch.
