Naan Than Bala

[MysteRy]

Naan Than Bala Movie Preview

Cast:  Vivek, Nassar, Kanja Karuppu, Mayilsami, Saranya Ponvannan
Director: Kannan
Production: J. A. Lawrence
Music Director: Venkat Krishi
Lyricis: Vairamuthu , Vaali

They say that truthfulness wins over everything else. But how practical is this in the real world? Living by rules may seem attractive but it is not only challenging for the boundaries that one must stay inside, but is also rather impractical in a world that is generous with corruption. We have seen Vivek act, entertain and rise up to being Padmashree with his unique and thoughtful sense of humour.

But it is not to be ignored that he is also an equally talented character artiste. On suggestions from Ulaga Nayagan and director Bala, Vivek has shrugged off his comedian image to fit himself into a main stream serious role of Bala, in this week’s entertainer ‘Naan Thaan Bala’. Directed by Kannan and produced by Lawrence, the film portrays Vivek in the role of an innocent Brahmin who holds tight to principles and follows rule books to the letter. The story goes that he comes in contact with a contract killer, and the film concludes in the influence that they mutually have on one another, transforming Vivek’s life.

The film went on the floors last November, and had its audio launch soon afterwards, in the following month, opening to varied responses. Venkat Krishi’s score has been a consistent scorer in the music market, and the film, having been wrapped up in a fairly short period of time, will have strong support on music front too.

Swetha plays Vivek’s heroine in the movie, and among others, Mayilsamy is a vital part of the cast. Owing to the catchy title and rather a unique subject as it suggests, the film’s trailer has trended healthy viewership since its launch. With the rise in audience for quality story, added with the expectations on a seasoned comedian playing a fully fledged serious role, ‘Naan Thaan Bala’ makes a confident entry to the box office this Friday.

[MysteRy]

Naan Than Bala Movie Review

Director: Kannan
Cast: Vivekh, Venkatraj, Shwetha
Music: Venkat Krishi

Comedy star Vivekh’s first crack at doing a serious hero role is a mixed bag. He has come out with a brilliant performance but the script and direction is totally amateurish. It is more like a moral science class and made like a mega serial, with loads of 80’s style melodrama.

The story is etched out of Mahabharat with analogy of Karna and Duryodhana thrown in. Bala (Vivekh) is an honest god fearing temple priest who lives in an agraharam with his aged parents. He refuses to go as a Brahmin priest to US, where he can earn in dollars, acknowledges all men are equal and accepts a glass of water from a dalit’s house which has a photograph of Dr Ambedkar!

Bala’s father is wrongly accused in a murder case and life changes. He becomes friendly with Poochi (Venkatraj) a hired killer. The hired killer owes his loyalty to a gang leader and his ‘Lady Macbeth’ style cold blooded wife, who will arrange a murder for money.

Poochi helps Bala in a difficult situation which brings them closer. Their friendship has its repercussion on lives of both. However the long arm of law catches up with Poochi, now a reformed man. Bala meets a Saurashtrian Boli seller and is all set to marry her, when the unexpected happens.

Vivekh is very good in a serious role as Bala, but he cannot rise above the pitfalls in the script. The second half is tedious and meandering, as it becomes like a TV serial. The story and the relationship look odd at times. How can a hired assassin suddenly turn soft on the advice of a priest, whom he just met?

The trouble is that director Kannan has put in a lot of commercial padding like songs, comedy scenes that stick out like a sore thumb without paying much attention to the script. The plot is interesting but the final product is half baked.