Thursday Sep 20 2007, Chennai

Sivi: A terror movie after a long time

What is the meaning of Sivi? It is said to be the name of the snake that adorns Lord Shiva’s neck.The movie has a ghost that sits on the neck of the characters just like the snake Sivi sits on the neck of Lord Shiva.While the snake doesn’t do any harm to the Lord, the ghost is all set to ruin the life of the man on whose neck it chooses to sit.The storyline f the thriller goes like this: we have a hero who flirts with a girl and sleeps with her without any serious commitment.Worse, he ‘offers’ her to his friends as well.

Finally he refuses to accept her love.The poor girl, who cannot forget him even after several years, kills herself.She comes back as a ghost to take revenge on those who had exploited and cheated her.The movie goes on to tell you how the ghost go about the ‘mission’ and what happens to the persons, who had played with her life.The script has many interesting sequences.

The ghost plays havoc in the lives of the hero and his friends.It tampers the photographs taken by the hero.It threatens the fiancé of hero in unexpected ways.It makes their travels a nightmare.In short, the lives of the hero and his friends becomes hell, as the ghost sits pretty on their necks! The debutant director Senthil Nathan has come out with a stunning thriller.

His hard work shows in the script and the execution.He has succeeded in terrorizing the audience.The movie could threaten even the brave ones.The library scene, for instance, is a nightmare.The climax chase too is quite threatening.

 The illogical developments - especially during the climax - in the script can be excused since the main purpose is to thrill.It should be acknowledged that the director has succeeded in presenting the film with minimum credibility despite some flaws.Yogi, the grandson of actor ‘Thengai’ Sreenivasan, who made his debut in ‘Azagiya Asura’ has done a better job in this film.The heroines Jayashree Rao and Anuja - both newcomers – have done well.Anuja in particular is remarkable as a ghost.

The comedy track by Chittibabu, Aarthi and Benjamin doesn’t click but it serves as a much-needed relief amidst a lot of terror.Background score is an essential component of suspense thriller and the young music director Dharan, who debuted in ‘Parijatham’, has done a commendable job.The music fits in the thriller movie perfectly.The songs too have come out well.The songs are aesthetically picturised.

P.S.Sanjay’s cinematography is flawless.Sasikumar’s editing is smart. Verdict: ‘Sivi’ is a surefire thriller.

Credits: Cast: Yogi, Jayashree Rao, Funky Shankar, AnujaDirection: K R Senthil NathanMusic: DharanProduction: K SundarCenematography: P.S.SanjayEditing: Sasikumar