With an intelligently crafted screenplay, deft treatment, racy pace and some meaningful lines, director Vinoth (who apprenticed with Vijay Milton), establishes his credentials as a writer-director with his very first effort. Weaving a tale centred on a con man, he infuses in it a judicious blend of humour, sentiment, intrigue and suspense. The narrative is enhanced by the performance of Natraj as con man Gandhi Babu to whom money is his religion. Natraj, a neat performer in his earlier films, surpasses himself with a performance perfectly tuned.
The early part depicts the con games of Babu as he, like a skilled chess player, shrewdly makes his moves. Be it him selling an innocuous snake for a hefty amount to the elderly Chettiar (Ilavarasu) making him believe that the venom would help enhance his sexual performance, or starting a company that offers magic-cure potions at atrocious prices — they are all acts one can relate to. Natraj’s whole body language, expressions and demeanour lend a lot of conviction to the role of a man who is shrewd, gutsy and unfazed by adversities. Watch his cocky brazen exit from court after he is released with no evidence against him. Another excellently enacted scene is when Gandhi renders a thesis on the power of mantras and the temple kalasam to his potential victim Moovendar. Ishara is aptly cast as the small town innocent girl who joins Gandhi’s company and believes in the inherent goodness of humans. She gets her space towards the end. The technical crew has coordinated ably to bring the director’s vision on screen.
The characters have been fleshed out, while the supporting actors perform well. The second half is different from the breezy style of the earlier part.
The crisp background of Gandhi’s deprived childhood narrated in animated montage shots (reminiscent of Waltz With Basheer) has an interesting touch. It turns more serious and intense as Gandhi, cornered and betrayed, finds himself at the mercy of the same people he had made a fool of. He realises that the money Gandhi thought was ‘ultimate’ would one day turn out to be his bane. Sentiment is added, but the director has managed to keep the narration free from any form of melodrama.
It’s a befitting finale of introspection, realisation and redemption. Produced by actor Manobala, the film that is satirical, humorous and thought provoking, is definitely worth a watch.