M3V Movie Review
First-time director Krishnan Seshadri, who has assisted Mani Ratnam and PC Sreeram, has come out with something out of the ordinary. Urbane, unconventional, funny and philosophical though, it still lacks ferver. What made the young ad film- maker embark on this venture seems to be his over-obsession to make a feature film which is a path-breaker. Claiming to be the first metro film in Tamil, it has over100 new faces. The film is all about first time experiences in life - first kiss, sex for the first time, cheating someone for the first time, first time pregnancy, etc. The film takes light-hearted view of the life of members of upper and upper middle class families living in a city like Chennai.
Central to the theme is a youth who aspires to be become a film director in Kollywood and the experiences he undergoes as he tries to realize his ambition.
Hayagreev alias Haags (.CP.Satyajit) in his serious endeavour to make a film, meets producers. Some of them turn him away telling he has no previous experience, and others discourage him rejecting his story. He suffers humiliation everywhere and his life become a battleground.
Hayagreev's girl friend Shindu (Anuja Iyer) is afflicted with a serious heart disease. Her days are numbered. Her only wish is that Hayagreev should direct a film before she marries him and dies. After a prolonged struggle, he finally manages to receive an offer from a producer. By this time Sindhu's condition worsens and she slips into a coma on being admitted to hospital. As Hayagreev gets stuck his assistant Mahesh (Charan) steps in and compiles all his first-time experiences for a story. The climax answers the questions whether Hayagreev could complete the film and whether Sindhu is saved from certain death.
Krishnan's boldness in making such a 'highbrow cinema', that too in Tamil, casting 100 new faces, should be appreciated , but at the same time his taking up a subject which ordinary people may find too serious or dull is questionanble. Dialogue scenes seem to occupy full space. The narration is all from Satyajit's angle. The hardships and problems faced by Satyajit as an aspiring director and his team are the common sights at today's Kollywood. The advice of Satyajit's brother that 'make money, don't make a film' is very apt given the present situation in the tinsel world.
Romantic episodes featuring Satyajit and Anuja Iyer are nicely executed. Scenes of Satyajit's first sex experience are overdone. How a child struggles with its first steps is shown with full of liveliness. The love at first sight between the grandfather and grandmother is poetical. The story gets a much awaited twist with the entry of Charan, who sacrifices his life for friendship. He dons a funny character steeped in superstitions citing 'sastras' at the drop of a hat. He is impressive.
Satyajit's characterization is consistent throughout. Among the 100 new faces, he stands out. For a debutant his portrayal is commendable. His lack of seriousness even while his girlfriend is counting her days and his natural exuberance are nuanced well. He performance with ease and elegance.
Anuja is Krishnan's best choice for the sensitive role of an educated, nonconformist, fun-loving city girl. More important, she could emote well.
Vidya Eswaran, M V Sriram, Murari, Keevna Issac and every other actor in the cast do full justice to their roles. Humour runs right through the movie. The script is simple and straight and so is the narration. An item number by Keevna is vulgar and out of place.
Aslam Mustafa's background score and cinematography by Fowzia Fathima are added strength to the film. Art direction by Thotta Tharani and editing by B. Lenin are admirable.
Krishnan Seshadri Gomatam is right when he claims M3V is a new experience in Tamil cinema though it is not creativity at its best.
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