Vellithirai Tamil Movie

At times, the director Viji cannot help resorting to the hackneyed cinema formula when he finds the going tough. However, he has succeeded in depicting the cinema world in a way that is not only entertaining but educative. Mar 12, 2008 By PVS

The film is an adaptation of the Malayalam hit "Udhayananu Tharam" starring Mohanlal. Tamil director Viji has made a good beginning. The tinsel world is depicted synoptically.

Film-goers, for whom cinema means entertainment, are generally unaware of the goings on behind the scenes. They would get some insight into this world. The story is about ego clashes between two men, one who wants to become a hero overnight by any means and the other who aspires to be a director. The two are pitted against each other to portray ambitions, rivalries, struggles, politics, and much worse in 'Vellithirai' (Silver Screen).

Kannaiyan (Prakash Raj), a paunchy man looking older than his age, struggles for years to get into the film world. His dream is to become a hero straightway, though he does not possess any of the qualities that are necessary for a hero. On the other hand, his friend, Saravanan (Prithviraj), is hard-working, well-versed in all aspects of film-making and aspires to be a director. He visits every company, but chances are hard to come by. Whereas, Mythili (Gopika), launched by Saravanan to be a potential actress, is now a front-line heroine.

When his efforts to get the role of a hero fail, Kannaiyan stoops so low that he steals a story from Saravanan and using this story he realizes his dream of becoming a hero. His becoming a top hero makes things go topsy-turvy. Saravanan is shocked and finds himself in dire straits. In the meantime, Mythili, (Gopika), tortured by his brother Dinesh (Sampathraj), takes refuge at Prithviraj's house. After they get married, Mythili quits acting. Saravanan's troubles increase. Mythili also leaves him on the pretext of helping him. Luckily for Kannaiyan, his first movie turns to be a hit. With this success, he changes his name as Dilipkant. Saravanan is finally given a chance by producer Sarath Babu who has helped Kannaiyan to make his debut as a hero. The producer's one condition is that Kannaiyan, now famous by the name of Dilipkant, should play the hero in the film to be directed by Saravanan. A hapless Saravanan surrenders to Kannaiyan, However, the hero does not co-operate with Saravanan and insists on changing the climax. When Saravanan stands his ground, Kannaiyan refuses to act in the film.

Director Viji tells whether the hero or the director succeeds peppered with interesting episodes that are reflective of the real film world. The strength of the film is his dialogues.

For Prithviraj, who has already won kudos for his acting skills, this film is another feather in his cap. He gives a truly realistic portyal of the character. He looks a picture of pathos when Prakash Raj gives a TV interview after his successful debut as a hero with the story stolen from him. He touches the heart when he is in a state of despair and does not know whether to laugh or cry when he comes to be identified as the husband of a heroine. Another scene which is heart-ending is when Prithviraj seeks a divorce from Gopika whom he loves dearly. He is perfect as an aspiring director and plays the role with finesse. His expressions of despair and dejection in failures, agony when he separates from Gopika, sense of defeat when his story is stolen and the feeling of hurt when his friend betrays him are moving.

Prakash Raj steals the show with his superb characterization of a man who is determined to become a hero by hook or by crook. A touch of class is evident in every shade of his character portrayal. He peaks when he nurtures the ambition of becoming a hero, when he shudders with fear after stealing Prithviraj's story, when he brings out his negative traits on becoming the hero, when he attempts to possess Gopika and his antics to attract his heroine (Lakshmi Rai). Kudo to his acting abilities!

Gopika deserves applause. In romance, song sequences and sentiments she is at her best. Lakshmi Rai as a popular heroine looks beautiful.

Sarath Babu is the right choice for the role of film p