When I asked for opinions from the diehard movie fanatics,namely my cousins and a few friends here in Chennai,unanimously all their responses were - 'Oh..That movie..hmm..Think abt it.3 Hrs..Are you ready to spend 3 Hrs sitting through a dragging movie with not much of commercial/comedy stuff in it?'
But then I had already decided long ago that it was worth an effort to start viewing all of Cheran's movies,just because of the hype Autograph had created and the way it had lived up to the expectations.
Few minutes into the movie,it was very obvious that Cheran was trying a hand at doing what he is very good at - Showing incidents with dialogues that every single person in the movie hall could relate to.Almost every scene in the movie seemed to be a replay of one's life and started taking us through an endless bout of nostalgia.I was really awestruck at the way Cheran had tried to detail every bit of trouble,anxiety,selfless thinking and many other little attributes common to all middle class parents.There was not a bit of over-acting from Charanya - the mom and Raj Kiran - the dad.The main thing that I liked was,there was no unnecessary 'item number' that had been thrust in just for the front benchers.
I have always been used to booing crowds and nasty comment passing college students in almost all the movies I had seen in the theatres.But this time it was certainly different.The pin-drop silence and the spontaneous applause during some of the well-acted scenes,mainly Charanya's funny rantings against her daughter-in-law,made it all look great.
This was a movie I had always looked out for - the one which did not glorify the stupidity in the name of 'love'.Although It did show the protaganist engaging in a love affair and as in other movies,taking the bold step of getting married without the parents' consent,but then the whole new world of separation and guilty feeling was very well exposed.The emotions that Cheran portrayed,very well brought the guilt that any son would have for his selfish act and sheer negligence of his parents.
The printing press scenes were very very realistic and lent a good setting for exhibiting the pressing situations that the father had to go through to make ends meet.
I expected the 'Orumurai dhaan' song to have been filmed differently.I thought it was the one which would be te most hurting song in the movie,providing maximum impact.This was because of the lyrics of the song.'Enna solgiraay' song was filmed in a simplistic fashion but was wonderful.
So,what would I say if someone was to ask me about the movie?
If you got a girlfriend,go to the movie with her,as she would understand what it is to live as a family and what is in store later in life after the trance or blissful phase of youth/love she is currently in.The trials and tribulations to follow later would definitely stay well etched in her memory upon watching the movie.
If you have a very close friend,preferably from childhood,go to the movie with him as he and you would be able to relate to so many little incidents from childhood.
If you are fortunate enough that you live with your parents and siblings,please take time to take them to the movie.The joy that one would get while seeing them relate to those scenes and incidents and the smile that would magically emerge from all of us,is simple invaluable.
A wonderful movie,worthy of a watch through its entirety atleast once.Ofcourse watching the clips in bits thorugh all the SUN TV,Jaya TV movie clip shows - thats going to be a treat that I look forward to.
Incidentally this movie is going to be a memorable one for me - thats for an altogether different reason . ..:)
Thanks Cheran for all those tears that you were successful to extract from me.
-Raapi
Posted by rajesh | 
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