Prologue - Kadhalil Vizhunthen was an important movie for more than one reason. It was the first movie released by 'Sun Pictures’. It featured the chartbuster 'Nakku Mukka' which recently went to Bollywood in the famous 'Dirty Picture'. The movie was also a turning point for its hero Nakul and composer Vijay Anthony. But the man (P.V.Prasad) who wielded the megaphone for the movie was out of action. Now he is back with his second flick "Eppadi Manasukkul Vanthai" (EMV) after a four year gap. Another reason to expect this movie is for the man behind the camera, Vijay Milton, who is also the cinematographer for Vazhakku Enn 18/9 and Kadhal.

Plot

The movie follows a similar pattern to his debut flick and is about a man obsessed with his love and who will not have anyone come in the way of it. The movie has shades of Selvaraghavan's Kadhal Kondaen(KK). But KK had a strong back-story where the reason for the hero's psychotic behaviour was justified by means of his troubled childhood. That area is left untouched in EMV (probably on purpose to avoid the similarity with KK). So during the entire first half you hardly sympathize with hero and his actions. Also the love seems to blossom here for the flimsiest of reasons. The second half however does keep you engaged with its thriller like treatment with enough twists.

Cast and Crew

Debutant Vishwa looks unconventional for a hero but puts up a decent performance. His dancing skills come to the fore in the Oorakalli number (did it have to be so similar to Nakku Mukka?). The new girl Tanvi Vyas also is adequate and does a fairly neat job. Irfaan as the heroine's good friend and Ravi Kaalai as the inspector who is on the lookout for the killer are aptly cast. When the maker has enough guts to do away with any comedy track, it is surprising that he still feels the need for so many songs. All the songs by debutant music director A.J. Daniel are good. But why have so many songs in a thriller? Also the similarity in the tune and picturisation of a couple of songs to the director's previous film dilutes the impact.

Unanswered Questions

There are a few logical loopholes. How does the poverty stricken hero manage to pay the fees for his studies in what looks like a sophisticated private college? Where did the dead body go missing all of a sudden? And how come not a soul turns up during the climax fight which takes place in a public parking lot?

Bottomline

EMV could have been so much better with more focus in the first half with so many scenes yearning for finesse in treatment. Half Baked Thriller!