'Endrendrum Punnagai' - Haricharan's Review

"New films are judged in terms of how they extend our experience and give us pleasure . . .” – Pauline Kael We Indians are by nature a very tolerant and understanding set of people. We always philosophically quote ‘ ivallavu vaavathu kudukaraangale, sandhosha padu …….” (Be satisfied that you are being given something……) By nature we tolerate mediocrity in Politics, Law & Order, Business, or for that matter in any discipline so Cinema is no exception! But we strongly oppose criticism. We somehow fail to understand that criticism is a strong motivator for improvement and you do have a clear choice - either you accept it or you trash it. Take it or leave it, why get all worked up and rant and rave? Instead make a good film and silence the critic! That’s easier, said than done I suppose. Let’s now move on to the actual task at hand the film in question ‘Endrendrum Punnagai’.

Back story:

Movie: Endrendrum Punnagai Director: Mueenuddin Ahmed, Music : Harris Jayaraj. Producer: G.K.M.Tamil Kumaran & Dr. Ramdoss, D.O.P: Madhi, Editor: Praveen.K.L & N.B.Srikanth, Release: Red Giant Movies. Commenced Year 2012, Budget: NA.

The story, backdrop and setting (Screen play)

3 Childhood friends (Jeeva,Vinay & Santhanam) grow up together and take a solemn pledge never to marry (Bishma’s vow) as they fear that it will break their undying friendship. Then there is Nasser Jeeva’s father who seems to be donning very similar cameo roles these days. I wonder why? Is it because directors these days do not know to use his experience and talent to create a telling effect? Then there is the charming Trisha and Andrea the glam quotient. Anyways, about the plot, probably inspired by 3 Idiots? Not entirely though. A bit of Hangover (Bachelor’s party), a bit of Dil Chahta Hai (3 friends and a studio) among other films, but honestly I have to give full marks to this director for the sheer entertainment quotient he has been able to provide in this film.

The first half of the film starts with Jeeva and Vinay confronting each other in pouring rain (with the usual narration). When you think that you are once again going to watch the usual spectacle the director surprises you. The first half showcases the inseparable bond between the three friends who share a great friendship. Jeeva’s father decides to migrate from Ooty and Jeeva is enrolled in a school in Chennai. As he enters the class room on day 1 he is warned by the teacher not to cultivate a friendship with the punished and kneeling Vinay & Santhanam. This friendship grows from strength to strength until it reaches a breaking point at the end of the first half when his dear friends suddenly leave him.

Diverse characterization of the 3 friends, Jeeva hates women, Vinay loves women and Santhanam loves booze.

The suspense factor, the father Nasser and son Jeeva do not speak to each other.

The surprise element, the delayed entry of heroine Trisha.

Additional points of interest Andrea, the glamour quotient and Sunny, the ‘gay’ studio owner.

Art director Has complimented the director’s vision. He has chosen classy locations to suit the urban theme of the film. The merry go around and rocking horse in the hero’s room a definite plus

The chemistry and bond between the three friends with different views is well portrayed visually by the director by the usage of clever and effective screenplay with interspaced child hood montage shots and clippings which definitely brings a smile and few of them even makes you laugh (which is a rarity these days). The driving scene with the dummy steering wheel, the bra and the smoking dressing room scene, the knock out poke using the billiard cue, The frequent humorous quips, along with innumerable one line retorts like the 32” pizza and the Subway one clearly heralds a comeback for Santhanam! Jeeva and Vinay are actually an ideal foil to Santhanam in the first half.

Trisha the heroine is portrayed as a simple but straightforward career woman who wants to achieve something in the male dominated world of media and advertisement. She also has strong views about falling in love and believes that no matter what love will ultimately prevail. Trisha, in my opinion, is every man’s idea of the ideal life partner. She carries herself with confidence and dignity as always. She dresses well but seldom reveals more than what’s necessary but can still be termed as sensuous and desirable.

Andrea on the other hand, plays the part of a super model. After the first scene hype on the ramp you expect her to stun you with more grace and glamour. Her height and screen presence, a distinct advantage the director failed to use. To start with, her makeup as a super model is found wanting. Her costumes are tardy and rather dull and drab. She is no contest to Trisha as the desire and diversion quotient. Even her dubbing lacked intensity and was far from convincing.

The not so convincing part of the first half the weak reasoning given by the director for Jeeva hating the entire female gender. Truly the epitome of gender bias! The director’s crass attempt in portraying a ‘gay’ character just to evoke a few laughs. The weak characterization of the female gender. Nasser being underutilized and stereotyped. The accident and arrival of the friends at the correct hospital – unexplained.

The second half of the film can be divided into two parts - one the emotional and the other the continuing humour part. This half mainly focuses on the final separation of the three friends owing to their breaking of the ‘blood’ oath (remember Hangover). The scene shifts to Switzerland where Andrea turns out to be the rather weak villie. She makes a rather unconvincing and feeble attempt to seek revenge to enable the director to create an entry for Trisha as a life saver for the Hero. Then what follows is the usual love blossoming between our hero (Jeeva) and the heroine (Trisha). Here the director deviates from the beaten path and continues the humour quotient by using the supporting cast of Santhanam and Jeeva. So the love and emotions are happening abroad and the local antics of Vinay and Santhanam in Chennai continues to keep u engrossed for most part. The usual separate comedy track is missing and a welcome relief. Nasser continues his rather weak existence as a broken father but a very affluent artist. The return of the hero and heroine to India starts with a bang at the airport but then meanders into an insipid melodrama of sorts.

The comedy track of Santhanam and to a lesser extent Vinay is the main stay of this half. The Taj mahal monument request by Santhanam’s better half and his customary retort, the ‘Vesham’ (poison) quip are some of the best ones which prevents lag and is a breather in between the so called emotional scenes. Jeeva and Vinay do contribute, especially Jeeva who has improved substantially and does his part with maturity and sensibility. Here is an actor who has used his limitations to better his performance. Vinay has added the required support but somehow his ‘Jollu’ role could have been more convincing.

The surprise element, Probably the best scene in the film, when Santhanam comes home drunk and plays a brilliant pantomime cameo to convince his wife that he is not sozzled. Full marks to the director for conceiving this scene it is indeed a refreshing change. The male pole dance by Sunny is also worth mentioning. The characterization of the heroine’s mother and sister-a departure from the usual.

Trisha and Jeeva do perform well but the latter part of the second half does not stir any long lasting emotion to take home. The last 15 mins could have been utilized better by portraying a strong female lead and Trisha should have had the final say in the emotional drama. Instead, the director, in my opinion, has taken the beaten path.

The not so convincing part The father son relationship should have played a major role in this half instead the director has used the usual sympathy factor. The reasoning behind the friends sacrificing everything is very thin. The Andrea factor was wasted. The heroine’s flip flop in the end.

Madhi The D.O.P Madhi has used the camera and lighting to supplement the screen play with good effect. The balcony shot with Jeeva and Trisha with the night sky in the background is great work. I wonder whether CG work was involved here or was it a crane shot. The second scene is when Santhanam is drunk and trying to convince his wife. Switzerland has been portrayed well and very pleasing to the eye. The D.O.P has stuck to his brief and has not attempted to exceed it.

Harris Jayaraj The back ground score was good and has aided the film but I really felt a couple of songs were totally unnecessary as it had enough content to keep you engrossed. The song ‘Yaela Yeala Dost….’ (Hope I got the sp right) is hummable. Other than that it was standard fare.

Praveen and Srikanth have effectively managed the cut and have managed to contain any lag and boredom. Though I felt the police scene, having a contrived comedy scene could easily have been chopped off.

Finally to sum it all up:

Left right & Centre:

On my right of right were 4 girls from Triplicane and all of them were Jeeva fans and they loved him and thought the film was a very good entertainer.

To my right again (as on my left was the aisle) was my American friend from Seattle. ‘ I did not understand the dialogue, but going from the viewer’s reaction the dialogues are a major part of this film and they seem to have enjoyed the film. And for a change I did not fall asleep. As an afterthought I felt that the actors are on the older side to play their respective roles’

Centre a couple from Thiruvanmayur ‘We like the film. It is a good entertainer. Santhanam is really great in this film.’

Bottom Line: Santhanam is back! An entertainer with plenty of local humour.