Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara - Fun With Purpose

 Bharath Vijayakumar

Comedy is the flavour of the season and you have atleast one film every other week claiming to be a laugh riot. With Vijay Sethupathy in the scheme of things it was a give away that Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (IAB) will have something that would set it apart from the rest. That something in IAB is the strong message that it delivers without an iota of preachiness. Director Gokul deserves much applause because a huge section among the audience that is going to watch this film will belong to the younger lot and the central idea of this film is something that they should hopefully take home.

IAB starts of with scenes from different plots that run parallel. It actually takes a while for us to get accustomed to the scheme of things. Just as we warm up to one plot the scene of action shifts to another one. It is in the second half that clarity emerges and we get a hold on the proceedings. Humour is of the madcap type for the most part and it all boils down to a rib tickling finale that has Vijay Sethupathy ruling the roost.

 
Cast:

IAB is relatively more mainstream for Vijay Sethuathy compared to his previous ventures. It gives him the liberty to mouth some crazy lines and break into a jig with a freedom that is typical of commercial cinema. Do not get fooled by all this. This is not a film that tries to test the commercial viability of the 'mass hero' in Vijay Sethupathy. Even though Pizza and NKPK were not routine cinema the central plot in both was actually around this man. But in IAB he is only a character along with the others. His antics as 'Sumar Moonji Kumar' grow on you as the film progresses and reaches it's zenith towards the climax. IAB is another job well done for Vijay Sethupathy.

Ashwin is competent as the sincere youngster who is caught between his demanding boss and his possessive girlfriend.Nandhitha is adequate while Swathi has the more substantial role of the two girls and she is good. All the characters have something zany about them and each actor has been able to potray the zaniness successfully. Be it Pasupathy as the diabetic don, M.S.Bhaskar as the Malayalee boss, the person playing Vijay Sethupathy's friend and so on. M.S.Bhaskar's characterisation is a refreshing break from the linguistic stereotypes.The rapturous reception given to the introduction of Soori is a testimony to his growing popularity. And he impressess in a short cameo.

Technical Team:

The songs of Siddharth Vippin are for the masses. The Ashwin - Swathi duet is melodious. But the placement of this song at a time when not much is happening on the screen is a dampener. The film has a colourful look to it thanks to cinematographer Mahesh Muthuswamy. That the same man was behind the lenses for Myskkin's Chitthiram Pesudhadi, Anjathey and Nandhala speaks about his versatility.

IAB is a complete U-turn for Gokul whose debut flick Rowthiram was a raw action film. The first half of IAB is definitely lively. But the humour in this initial half works only in parts. The second half however quickly picks momentum and more than makes up for the earlier lapses. The film is a rare neat comedy that is devoid of even a single double entendre. And what better way to instill a message in the audience mind when they are actually laughing their hearts out.

Bottomline:

A film that leaves a message in your hearts and a smile on your lips. 

Rating :