Sila Nerangalil Tamil Movie

Feature Film | 2008 | Drama, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Critics:
Feb 29, 2008 By PVS


Sila Nerangalil is Vincent Asokan's first movie in which he plays the hero (or anti-hero) - a far cry from the bad guy with wild hair and menacing looks in more than a dozen films, including Thotti Jaya, Chanakya, Nee Venunda Chellam, Thagappan Samy, Khaki and Pokkiri.


In 'Sila Nerangalil', he plays dual roles. It is a thriller based on the theory of rebirth. Director Jayaraj who has directed 29 films in Malayalam and bagged five national awards, has handled the subject with sensitivity. Legendary playback singer P. Susheela sings a song after a gap of 13 years for this partially period film.


The story is narrated in flashbacks. The year is 1965. In the life of Thamarai (Navya Nair) and Chidambaram (Vincent Asokan), his friend and playback singer Madhavan (Vineeth) intrudes and soon becomes a troublesome presence. Thamarai's pregnancy is an unwelcome development for Chidambaram's sister (Fathima Babu) who looks for short-cuts to get all the wealth of the family for her son. Chidambaram is led to suspect an affair between his wife, Thamarai, and Madhavan. Upset by this, Chidambaram beats his wife and threatens her that he would kill her. The word "kill" changes the course of their life. Chidambaram is sentenced to death on the charge of murder, but he manages to escape when he is about to be hanged.


Its 2005. A girl (Navya Nair) dreams of getting killed by an unidentified man. She is so scared that she suffers amnesia. She is admitted to a home for the rehabilitation of physically and mentally challenged persons. She is under the care of Jo (Vincent) who runs the home. He names her Anjali and develops a love for her. A psychiatrist (Raghuvaran), who is also a hypnotist, treats Anjali. During the therapy, it comes as a revelation that she is none other than Thamarai in the previous birth allegedly killed by her husband Chidambaram in 1965. After the therapy Anajli is able to speak but is still unable to recall the past. Further hypnotic therapy only confirms that the killer was her husband (now Jo). As Anjali becomes wary of Jo and afraid of him, the psychiatrist using hypnotism probes into Jo's past. Though in his hypnotic sleep, Jo sees the husband as innocent, the doctor and Anajli are not convinced. Jo, however, delves deep into the mystery killing in 1965 to clear himself.


For Vicent , who started his career playing a villain, the new role as a protagonist in this film is a challenge and he has indeed proved his acting potential. His performance as a hero will no doubt enhance his profile. In his depiction of the duel roles one could see the touch of class of his late father, Asokan, who had donned a variety of roles in his time. He does the character of Joe with great intensity, and is featured in a Samurai song with interesting visuals. He reportedly learnt Aikido stunts from master Tabrez for more than a year, used by stunt master 'Super' Subbarayan in the film's climax.


Navya Nair looks dynamic and her characterization of Thamarai and Anjali is brilliant. Her facial expressions make these characters lively.


Vineeth gives a powerful performance as a playback singer and a friend whom the hero suspects of having an affair with his wife. His performance is credible in the 'get-up' of an old man afflicted with throat cancer.


Raghuvaran is in his elements as a psychiatrist.


Sriman suddenly turns a villain claiming to be the husband of Navya Nair in her reincarnation as Anjali. He makes a brief appearance but not without effect.


Ramesh Khanna and Manobala do what best they could to humour the audience.


Srikanth Deva's sprightly music goes well with the overall atmosphere.


Melody queen P. Susheela sings "Bottu Vaitha Mugathai" (the 1965 song) evoking nostalgic memories. Another song "Ponguthu Ponguthu Manasu" is rendered by T.M.S Balraj. "Embavai" stands out.


As the story is set in the 1960s, art director Muthu Raj recreated the magic of the period on screen.


Cinematographer Rajave

PVS

   

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