NAAN – REVIEW
Can a music composer pull it off? Until now he has been behind the screens. Can he now recreate the magic on screen? These were the questions that could pop up before one goes to watch ‘Naan’, for it is the maiden venture of music composer Vijay Antony as an actor. The actor in the music composer has managed to pull it off well. One can enjoy the show.
The movie is directed by Jeeva Shankar, a former protege of cinematographer-director Jeeva. His inspiration of his guru is visible in every frame as they are captured in nice colours in a sophisticated manner.
A crime thriller with twists and turns, the films works out in most parts. Jeeva Shankar seems to have understood the strengths and weakness of Vijay Antony and has woven the script accordingly. There are no duets or romantic scenes for Vijay Antony and his character does what the script demands.
Siddharth of ‘Ananda Thandavam’ fame plays a brief role that has an impact on the script. The likes of Roopa Manjeri, Anuya and Vibha are also there. Roopa Manjeri after ‘Thiru Thiru Thiru Thiru’, plays a quite serious role. The other two girls have an extended cameo in the film.
Karthik (Vijay Antony) had a disturbed childhood. Good in academics, he is forced to spend his young days in a reformatory school after he kills his mother for infidelity. He continues his studies and passes out in flying colours. A bus journey changes the course of his life. It meets with a freak mishap and the guy next to him gets killed. He is an aspiring medico.
Karthik decides to take his place. He escapes from the scene with his admission card and mark sheets, forges and joins a medical college to pursue his desire. But now comes all hurdles followed by a slew of murders. What he does eventually to realise his mission forms the climax.
The movie comes with a tag ‘nobody is perfect’. The screenplay tries to substantiate it. As a music composer, this is perhaps Vijay Antony’s best ever album in terms of background score. Also the ‘Makaeyala…’ song is foot-tapping. The filmmaker ensures that there should be enough suspense elements but at places they end up predictable. Also the second half goes little draggy.
But at the end, ‘Naan’ is a racy crime thriller that is quite an appealing effort from Jeeva Shankar and Vijay Antony.
