Tuesday Jan 20 2009, Chennai

Padikkadhavan

Genre - Action

Directed by - Suraaj

Produced by - B. Bharathi Reddy

Music by - Vijay AntonyMani Sharma

Casts - Vivek, Prathap Pothan, Sayaji Shinde ,Suman etc.

Starring - Dhanush, Tamannaah

In 'Padikkadhavan', Dhanush rises over a banal screenplay to deliver an out-and-out entertainer. He imparts an operatic feel to the fight and dance sequences.

The pointless script meanders clumsily through a maze of familiar paths to end with a tame climax. The director Suraaj has tried his best to make an entertaining action comedy, but the film falls between two stools. The movie is neither a comedy nor an action film.

But what makes the movie watchable is the fabulous performance of Dhanush. Just like Vijay in 'Villu', the upcoming star does everything, action, comedy, romance and dance with such verve and sincerity that one may forgive the film for its numerous pitfalls! As ususla his timing and sense of humour is impeccable and his punch dialogues, some of them directed against some of the leading stars in kollywood, hits the bull's eye.

The plot is all too familiar. Radhakrishnan aka Rocky (Dhanush) is referred to as 'Padikkadhaan' as everyone else in his family are well educated whereas Rocky has not managed to pass the tenth standard. The young man, making wisecracks about his own shortcomings in the typical Dhanush way, tries his his best to pass the 10th std., but fails. His friends, played by Mayilsamy and co. 'advise' him to fall in love with an educated girl so as to compensate for his lach of education.

He takes the 'advice' in all seriousness and falls in love with the rich and beautiful Gayathri (Tamannaah) at first sight. It is time for romance, with Mani Sharma's energetic tunes in the background. But, troubles erupt a little later as baddies fill up the screen. Our hero is not one to let go off an opportunity to show his fighting skills! Well choreographed stunts, enough of blood and gore and at last, everything ends smoothly.

Prathap Pothen, Shayaji Shinde, Suman, Deva Darshini, Kadhal Dandapani, Santhana Bharathi... There are too many characters in the film with too little to do. Vivek in his role as Assault Arumugam raises a few laughs, but his attempts at comedy becomes painful as the film goes on.

The film is a masala entertainer that tries to boost Dhanush as the next superstar. May be, that is just what the filmmaker has planned for.