REVIEW: Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai

Above and below, Karthika Nair and Arya in scenes from Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai.

Above and below, Karthika Nair and Arya in scenes from Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai.

Published May 25, 2015

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Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai

DIRECTOR: SP Jananathan

CAST: Arya, Vijay Sethupathi, Shaam and Karthika Nair

CLASSIFICATION: TBA

RUNNING TIME: 160 minutes

RATING: ****

After dishing out meaningful movies like Iyarkai, E and Peranmai, director SP Jananathan is back with Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai.

Does the movie live up to its reputation? Does it carry a social message for which its director is known?

Plot: Arya is an activist who believes in the principles of Communism. What happens when you pull out all the stops to bring about a positive change in our society? You get framed and fall prey to the wrong side of justice. That’s exactly what happens to Arya, who receives the death penalty for alleged illegal undertakings against the country.

While Vijay Sethupathi plays the executioner, Shaam plays a police officer, who handles the case. Karthika Nair, who is a close associate of Arya’s, tries her best to avoid him being hanged. How does she do it? Does she succeed? How is Vijay connected to the saga?

These questions are answered in a compelling manner throughout the film.

Performances: One of the film’s main strengths is its performances by the lead cast that includes Karthika which is refreshing to see in Tamil cinema. All four (Arya, Vijay, Shaam and Karthika) excel in their respective roles, thereby, doing complete justice to SP Jananathan’s wonderful characters. Though the movie mainly revolves around its four central characters, the supporting cast chip in with convincing performances when required.

Technicalities: Art director Selva Kumar N scores big in this movie as all his sets are unbelievably real, especially the prison set which is at the heart of this movie.

Cinematographer NK Ekambaram has done a fantastic job as well. The last hour gets as racy as it can get and the cameraman has stood up to the challenge by capturing the beautiful snow-filled place which is a gift to the audience.

The relatively slow-paced first half is one of the low points of the movie, the other is its songs; not that the songs are unbearable, but they actually seem out of place in the entire plot. When will our directors find the courage to omit songs if they are not required? It is a sad question that remains to be answered.

The background score is gripping and adds substance. Running for two hours and 40 minutes, the film is mostly riveting. On the flip have been an out and out edge-of-the-seat thriller sans songs and a couple of slashed scenes.

Overall View: Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai is definitely another good film by SP Jananathan. It has a subtle message and will keep you hooked throughout.

OneIndia.in

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