Andavan Kattalai - my views on the movie

Went for a movie after some time. I am very selective of the movies I watch. I watch a movie where I can relax, suspend reality, have a good time, laugh a lot & forget the movie in a few days. I would like to watch Micheal Madan Kama Rajan over Nayagan any day so even I sound brain dead it is my personal choice.

Despite a title that gives you different ideas Andavan Kattalai is a simple film that would have worked well with any name and maybe it was the Director cocking a snook at conventional naming tradition.

There was a worrying disclaimer at the start and the titles itself reminded you of an old 70's/80's movie, after the initial doubts you settle down.

I was pleasantly surprised by the rapturous welcome for the hero Vijay Sethupathi who is now a confirmed, bankable star. The surprise increased when the audience hooted in delight for the name of Ritika Singh, apparently her debut movie has left a mark.

When you watch this movie you need to be alert unlike other masala movie where you can join anytime & still miss little. Here the wonderful writing has some delectable jokes thrown around & subtle references which can be easily missed. It is not the loud slapstick comedy that Tamil cinema is used to but light cerebral comedy where the dialogues shine.

There are so many characters who shine, but for me the junior lawyer Vinodhini & the main policeman stood out. Ritika Singh does a neat job and you can overlook the lip sync misses because she has put in the effort to gel and she shines when she does not speak. The conflict of emotions in the romantic scene & the flick of a tear were beautifully conceived & executed.

Vijay Sethupathi is a star & while the movie is hardly a challenge, that few seconds when he plays a king make you appreciate the actor in him. I suspect that line was written just for him to stretch himself a bit. You may leave the theatre with memories of the performances by the support cast starting from Yogi Babu. His final line in the movie cracked me up as it was least expected at that moment and that is how the movie delivers, making you laugh when you least expect to. The character of Nesan is hard hitting and tugs at the heart.

The movie was made to convey a simple message and it does that without being preachy. The director has made people smile at the despondency of the characters. The climax is expected but does not leave the viewer disappointed. The scene where the hero realises that it costs only 1300 to right a mistake the lesson is deeply planted in the viewers' minds.

The music by K is unobtrusive & unremarkable. The movie had no need for speed breaking songs and the background music was in the background. The subtle references made a mark with the audience & the scene where the hero berates his landlord brought many cheers in the theatre.

Go and watch the movie if you want to have fun. Be warned it will not be a masala movie with 4 songs, 3 fights, a scheming villain etc. There is a villain but you would not realize that he is one.