Venghai, a product of Hari and Dhanush, both fresh from the successes of their own. A blockbuster for the former and a National Award for the latter, so the expectations tend to swing to the higher degree. Those who are familiar with Tamizh cinema knows what to expect from a Hari film, which has all the necessary ingredients of a pucca commercial Tamizh mass masala movie. Some of his films did very well but there are few which sank without any trace, and this proves that a taut and fast screenplay is very important for a commercial masala film. So, did Hari manage to nail it down this time as well? The answer is............ Not really.
As with any Hari films, this movie too has plenty of character artistes playing small roles from Prakash Raj, Raj Kiran, Charlie, Oorvashi, Paravai Muniamma, Sudha Chandran and etc. Dhanush has not much of scope to perform in this film though he did well with his eye contact and body language and it must have been a cakewalk for him. If Dhanush's role was a cakewalk for him, Prakash Raj's is a step ahead and it's obvious that he's doing these sort of films just for the sake of finances. Can't blame him for that, though. It applies to all other artistes as well, be it Raj Kiran, Oorvashi and etc. In the name of comedy, Ganja Karuppu was a total disgrace and nuisance on the screen and some of his antics was just gross and disgusting. Tamannah has a more serious kind of heroine role this time, with a number of emotional scenes and she has once again proved that she has no inhibitions in flaunting her curves for song sequences (no wonder she's hot on the Telugu market now for her glamshow in few recent films).
On the technical front, this movie has nothing noteworthy. All the departments dished out a average work be it cinematography by Vetri, editing by V.T Vijayan, art direction by Kadhir, choreography by Brindha and Baba Bhaskar and etc. Stunts by Silva and Ganesh was a bit over the top considering the fact that Dhanush has no heavy built physique and songs by Devi Sri Prasad too was very average with the "Kaalangathale" and "Enna Solla Pore" numbers which were the hummable one's but picturization wise, nothing was worthy of talking point and background score was totally unnoticable.
Usually, there's nothing great in Hari's stories but what made some of his films to click was the racy narration and interesting twists and turns in the proceedings of the plot. Venghai too has some of these qualities but then the screenplay was slow and draggy in the first half and as things get heated up in the second half, songs and few sentimental scenes comes in as the speed breaker. Besides that, many scenes evoke a sense of déjà vu to the audiences, thanks to previous films of Hari.
Venghai would have worked big time if it had came out 10 years ago, but it's a decent, average film for those who wants to watch a typical commercial Tamizh movie with all the usual masala ingredients thrown into.
Ratings: 2/5 STARS
BY:TAMIL
Karthi has come out with his latest release after back to back hits and for the first time has done double roles in this film which is quite an achievement considering the fact that he's just few films old. He has chosen to do a remake from a hit Telugu film which is the practise of the current breed of actors. It is a very difficult task of remaking that particular film as Ravi Teja has a unique body language which can be hard to imitate. We'll see how Karthi has handled the roles..
First and foremost, this film is the most mass masala film Karthi had done. It may not go down well with the upper class people but for the masses it's pure delight. The story has a good scope of producing a gripping and tight screenplay but then the director choose to remake scene by scene and even there's a disclaimer in the beginning of the movie which claims that keeping the benefit of the viewers in mind every character speaks Tamil although most of the scenes happen in Andhra Pradesh. Although it balances the aspect of heavy Telugu flavor, it still doesn't connect with the nativity of Tamil audiences.. Anyhow, this movie delivers all the necessary ingredients of a mass movie.. Heroism filled lead character(s), glamorous heroine, emotional fight scenes, sentiments and a big gang of henchmen who as usual gets bashed up single handedly by the hero. It's the old lame style of 70's and 80's mode of story telling but what makes it watchable is the performance of Karthi but then it's filled with crude and crass dialogues which makes women feel sick and disgusted..
As for Karthi's fans, this movie is a real treat for them.. He's just simply good with his acting histrionics.. As the pickpocket Rocket Raja, he maximises the usage of comedy timing to near perfection and he gelled well with Santhanam. As a tricky, smart, pervert and notorious pickpocket he was rocking. The comedy scenes of him barging into the wedding house with Santhanam and also runnin away with the possesions of Mayilsamy was the highlights. As Rathnavel Pandian, the police officer, he was ferocious and determined and showed the characters of a Siruthai by not giving up till the end. His introduction fight scene in the villain's house was powerful and it really showed how much he has put into effor to get the body language and modulation of voices correctly. But then the scene which shows the entry of Rocket Raja as Rathnavel Pandian was just too hilarious and Karthi proved he's an accomplished actor in the scene where he breaks down hearing the kid's cry of sending her to back to the dead mom..Tamannah was just needed for the glamour quotient and so far this is her most revealing role. Made many boys' hearts go sigh.. Santhanam made use of his scenes quite well with funny 1 liners as Kattupuchi..
Technically there's nothing much to say as all departments worked appropriately. The art director did well with the deco's of Rocket Raja's house (the AVM globe was a touch of class) and the villain's house. Velraj's camera was adequate and the fight scenes in the rain was well captured. Vidyasagar is a big letdown as all the songs sounds similar and gives out a cliched sense to the viewers. Stunts were over the top except for Karthi's intro fight scene in the villain's house. On the whole this movie is just pure commercial and we must thank Karthi for marketing it properly with the tagline 70% comedy and 30% action which really tells the true nature of the movie. Watch it if you don't mind mindless masala and if you are a Karthi fan..
Rating: 2.5/5 STARS
BY: TAMIL
