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| MANDHIRA
PUNNAGAI MOVIE REVIEW |
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| Review
by : Behindwoods review board |
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Starring:
Karu Palaniappan, Meenakshi, Santhanam,
Rishi
Direction:
Karu Palaniappan
Music:
Vidyasagar
Production:
Karthik Nagarajan
This
seems to be the season of directors attempting
to prove their worth in front of the camera.
The latest to join this creative quest
is Karu Palaniappan who has also doubled
up as the man wielding the baton in Indira
Pictures Mandira Punnagai. Palaniappan,
after having delivered memorable feel
good films like Parthiban Kanavu, |
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Pirivom
Sandippom which were relationship oriented,
has attempted a different facet of human emotion in
Mandhira Punnagai.
Kadir (Karu Palaniappan), an intelligent architect
is known for his acerbic tongue and waywardly life.
He does not live by any rules. He is an antithesis
of good behavior and hence is not popular in his apartment.
His chutzpah does not let anyone near him. In comes
Nandini (Meenakshi), an executive in a car showroom.
Kadir does the architectural plan for Nandini’s
office and the duo meet. Kadir’s candor impresses
Nandini and she is attracted towards him. On Kadir’s
side, Nandini reminds him of his mother in certain
situations and love blossoms. At this juncture is
placed the twist in the film which in fact sets the
ball rolling for the rest of the happenings.
It is indeed a rarity to see a flawed personality
as a hero in Tamil film which is something different
in MP. The film takes its own time to unfold and its
lengthiness also works to its disadvantage. MP starts
off slowly, meanders in its course, peaks at some
places especially during flash back sequences but
ends up as mediocre. Although a succulent theme, director
Palaniappan could have handled the plot in a coherent
manner and he disappoints his audience this time as
he loses his grip on them majorly. A crisper package
would have definitely helped the film. In short MP
lacks in a powerful and a cohesive screenplay.
Characterization is good in the film and Palaniappan
and Meenakshi fit their roles well. As in any of Palaniappan’s
films, the heroine shares equal importance with the
hero and Meenakshi who detoured to glamour track after
her initial ‘homely’ act in a few films,
has done a decent job. Palaniappan as the caustic
Kadir is perfect but the lack of modulation and emotion
in his voice comes in the way of the powerful content
that spews out. It is like a mismatch between words
and their expression. Santhanam as Kadir’s friend
is his usual self and his comedy does not appeal in
most places. Thambi Ramaiah, Rishi and others form
the supporting cast. Moser Baer Dhananjeyan appears
in a small cameo.
Dialogues are the major and in fact one of the few
plusses of MP. Bhaskar Shakthi should be lauded to
have come out with pungent statements which characterize
the protagonist and strikes you sharply. If this ‘punch’
had been effectively utilized, the film would have
been impactful. Santhanam’s family sequences
are totally disjointed and you wonder why they are
the in the film at all.
Vidya Sagar’s music is just ordinary and does
not add any value or dimension to the film. The songs
appear forced and fall flat. Cinematography that is
needed for the film has been rendered by Ramnath Shetty.
Certain questions do arise as to who has funded Kadir’s
education for him to be a successful architect. Mandhira
Punnagai would have worked if its minuses were pruned
and pluses exploited to their hilt.
Verdict: Skewed Smile
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| Tags
: Mandhira
Punnagai, Meenakshi,
Karu
Palaniappan, Santhanam |
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