Wednesday Nov 26 2008, Chennai

'Thenavattu': Masala sans logic

Directed by - V.V.Kathir

Produced by - Antony

Music by - Srikanth Deva

Casts - Jeeva, Poonam Bajwa, Rajan.P.Dev, Revathy etc

The V.V.Kathir-directed film, with Jeeva as the hero, is predictable and the treatment also offers nothing new. There is not much to write about the story or script, as both are as old as the mountains. Read on...

Director V.V. Kathir was an assistant with Perarasu, who is known for commercial cocktails sans logic or novelty. In 'Thenavattu', Kathir proves that he is a student worthy of his master!

Everything about the film is predictable and the treatment offers nothing new. Kottai (Jeeva) is an innocent young man coming to Chennai from Madurai to work in Kailasam’s (Ravi Kale) timber depot. Little does he know about the other side of his boss, a dreaded dada in Chennai.

Meanwhile, Kottai meets Gayatri (Poonam Bajwa) in a temple and falls in love with her and the couple plan to get married.

Kottai decides to quit the job on seeing the real face of his boss. When he is about to leave the place with his love, Kailasam’s son, a womaniser, targets Gayatri. Kottai teaches him a lesson and subsequently becomes the rival of Kailasam.

The rest of the movie deals with how he tackles the all powerful dada and emerge triumphant.

The saving grace of the movie is the way transgenders, who give shelter to give Kottai and Gayatri, are portrayed. Kathir has chosen to show them as human beings, contrary to the traditional practice in Kollywood. He has given them some dignified screen space.

There is not much to write about the story or script, as both are as old as the mountains.

The music by Srikanth Deva passes muster with a foot-tapping song and a melody lingering in your ears. Vetri’s cinematography is quite ordinary, but the way he has captured the festival and worship of transgenders is commendable.

One wonders why Jeeva, who has so far chosen some different and challenging roles, has opted for this kind of clichéd role. He has done his role well but his efforts have gone in vain in a non-routine role.

Ravi Kale as the villain is impressive, but here too there is nothing new for the actor to make any impact.