Film Review: Piriyadha Varam Vaendum

IT IS Malayalam film director Kamal's first Tamil venture (a remake) and it has come out after hiccups at various stages of its making. But the final product seems worthwhile. Nikila Enterprises' ``Priyadha Varam Vaendum'', is a decent love story - a romance essayed with dignity and youthful charm. It is rather disconcerting to know that Shalini goes into hibernation with ``Piriyadha...''. The complete naturalness in her portrayal of the role of the ebullient college girl Nithi, in the first half, the subtle tinges of sorrow that her eyes reveal later on, her spontaneous outbursts when she realises where her heart really is - her face radiates the myriad emotions with absolute ease. Tremendous potential indeed.

Nithi (Shalini) and Sanju (Prashanth) are inseparable neighbours since childhood. So are their families. The two are pranksters in college too who gallivant around with energy and effervescence. Praveen (Krishna) a rich classmate and singer, is in love with Nithi. Initially hesitant, Nithi eventually accepts his proposal. Meanwhile Sanju realises that his feeling for Nithi is more than friendship. So what had been a totally platonic relationship turns into unrequited love. Nithi is agonised when she learns about Sanju's love for her and yearns to reciprocate.

That Nithi who knew Sanju so well, failed to know his heart is rather ridiculous. Particularly, when their classmate Sneha, easily gets to understand that Sanju is in love with Nithi.

The exuberance of the lead pair is too loud in the initial stages that it appears rather contrived. More so when Kovai Sarala adds to the din. (Vadivelu is seen in exactly one scene and there too he has not a single word to utter!)

Yet once the story takes a romantic twist, things get subtle, subdued and appealing. Prashanth's is another mature and commendable enactment. The pathos and pining in his eyes reveal the hardwork that the actor has put in over the years to excel in expression.

The Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer ``Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'', comes to mind once too often in the initial stages of the film when the strong bond of friendship between Prashanth and Shalini is established. Later on, however, things take a different turn. The new face Krishna, who is Praveen in the film, does a neat cameo, as the youth engaged to Nithi.

Intelligent editing by K. Rajagopal and soothing photography by Sukumar, especially in the emotional scenes, are other positive features of ``Piriyadha Varam Vaendum''.

Every dimension of romance has been dealt with in our films. This is another, but one that has been done reasonably well.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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