Vaanam Kottattum Review
Star Cast : Vikram Prabhu, Aishwarya Rajesh, Madonna, Shanthanu, Amitash, Radhika, Sarathkumar
Director : Dhana
Director Dhana's sophomore film Vaanam Kottattum is a leisurely paced feel-good family entertainer that talks about how anger and thirst for revenge affect our dear ones. Kamal Haasan's Thevar Magan and so many films talked about this theme in Tamil cinema so Vaanam Kottattum's message is not new but what works in the film is the longing relationship between the senior couple (brilliantly performed by Sarathkumar and Radhika).
Bose Kalai (Sarathkumar) is on his way to visit his ancestral temple with his wife Chandra (Radhika), daughter, and mom. His only son Selvah stops him in the middle and he is carrying billhook in hand. We get to know that Bose's brother Velchamy (Balaji Sakthivel) was stabbed and heavily beaten-up by his political enemies.
Without a second thought, Bose goes to the opposite camp and murders their leader thinking that his brother would get him out of the prison using his political influence. But unfortunately, no one is able to help Bose who has to spend a lifetime in prison.
Now Chandra decides to move to Chennai so that her children can grow up in a different environment away from revenge and violence. Cut to the present we see the grownup Selvah (Vikram Prabhu) and Mangai (Aishwarya Rajesh) who are working hard to start their new business in Koyembedu market with the help of their uncle Velchamy. Life goes smooth for Selvah with his newfound love Preetha (Madonna) and Mangai has a triangular love angle with Ram (Shanthanu) and Kalyan (Amitash) before their dad Bose gets released from the prison.
Bose is back and he is treated as an outsider by his own children who does not need him any longer. The generation gap is evident and there are ego clashes and tussle. While the tension builds up inside the family, the elder son (Nandha, plays a dual role) of the man that Bose killed is back to take revenge...
Vaanam Kottattum belongs to the lead pair Sarathkumar and Radhika. Sarath looks majestic especially in the bike scenes while Radhika is a true gem when it comes to emoting. The chemistry between them is the major highlight - their separation, rebound, fake anger, and pure love holds the film together.
Vikram Prabhu has delivered a measured performance and easily, it's his best ever as a normal guy and he shines throughout the film. Aishwarya Rajesh plays the bubbly and bold middle-class girl with ambition beautifully. Balaji Sakthivel looks realistic while the rest of the actors are just okay. Nandha and Madonna have nothing much to do.
On the downside, the film is slow and drags The revenge angle is a big letdown as there is no big surprises here, the pre-climax episode is predictable. Overall, Vaanam Kottattum is a watchable family drama mainly for the fantastic work of its lead actors, good songs by Sid Sriram, and beautiful cinematography.
