Nanban

The thing with remakes is that however nice the remake is one will always compare each & every frame of the movie with the original which will definitely distract the person from enjoying the movie. One exception for it was “Ghilli” but that was once in a lifetime occurrence. “3 Idiots” was such a flawless movie with a great cast & superb direction that when it was announced that Shankar was going to remake it in Tamil, many might have had apprehensions in their minds about how it might turn out.

Considering the current crop of young stars in Tamil cinema the three chosen to reprise the roles of Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi & Madhavan were the best of the lot. And they have done justice too.

Shankar’s remake of “3 Idiots” , “Nanban” is a very well done remake with certain punches added to suit the Tamil audience.It is new terrain for Shankar remaking a movie but he has done a good job of it. There are trademark Shankarisms here & there but overall he has remained faithful to the original. Though the overrated extravagance of Shankar is not there in this movie , the content is far better than most of his previous movies. And along with Karky , Shankar shines in dialogues too. There was always a doubt as to how he is going to fill the void left by Sujatha but in Karky he has found a very good ally. Dialogues are witty , informative (I don’t know how many of the viewers knew about “Jamais vu ”before), touching with typical sarcasm of Shankar movies here & there.

Vijay has underplayed a great deal & it has done wonders. In the initial parts he does reminds one of Aamir Khan but as the movie unfolds he sparkles. Be it in the comical situations or in sentimental parts , he shows one & all what we have been missing over the past few years. Wish he chooses many roles like this which gives scope for showcasing his acting skills. He rocks in the hospital sequences especially when Jiiva starts responding and in the delivery sequence just after the baby gets resuscitated. His dialogues delivery has improved a great deal & here one can see a great deal of maturity in his voice.

Jiiva has done a good supporting part & his oneliners are hilarious to the hilt. He has lots of witty ones to mouth. In the sequence in the classroom where he does an “induction engine” he brings down the roof.

Srikanth has tried hard & comes out unscathed. As a narrator of the story his voice is soothing.

Sathyaraj has done what Boman Irani did in the original mimicking most of his mannerisms. He also hams a bit but overall it is a decent performance from the veteran after a very long time.

This movie will be a turning point in Sathyan’s career for sure. When the cast was announced his part was the one which came in for a great deal of criticism with many doubting his capabilities but he has proven everyone wrong. As the irritatingly haughty “Silencer” he has performed well. It is definitely his career best so far.

Ileana has nothing much to do not that she promises much in the acting department. Andrea’s voice somehow elevates her presence in the movie.

S.J.Suryah & Anuya are adequate while Vasanth Vijay is miscast.

Harris Jayaraj’s songs are already chartbusters. “Aska laska” , “En nanban pola yaru macha” & “Heartile battery ” are enjoyable numbers. His Background score is way better than many of his recent movies.

Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography is awesome. If there is anything that outscores the original then it must be the cinematography. Welldone Manoj.

On the downside , “Irukana illayana” song is misfit & stands out like a sore thumb. Songs picturization are ordinary compared to Shankar’s earlier ones. (Trend started with Enthiran though) Why in the south Indian marriage everyone in wearing a turban????

Though the movie is 3 hours & more , one doesn’t get the feeling of dragging anytime. That the movie manages to keep one engaged & involved over a period of more than 3 hours is in itself a great achievement by Shankar. There are many minute interesting details that have gone into the movie. Vijay mouthing “Time up sir...... time up , time up” like “Thagadu thagadu ” to Satyaraj , Ileana’s “things like that will happen only in Shankar’s movie graphics” are a few which readily crops up.

The movie makes you laugh out loud, smile silently , cry as well as make you introspect in what you are doing with your life. That the whole auditorium was applauding vociferously not when the hero bashes up & terminates all the rowdies, not when the hero eradicates corruption from the country , not when the hero gets away with the heist , not when he mouth jingoistic preaching about honest or Tamil identity , but when it is announced that the Hero is the best outgoing student gives a hint or two about the success of the script as well the execution which enabled it translate precisely on the screen.

On the whole, “Nanban” is a feel good entertainer with a pertinent message that will be lapped up by the family audience as well the student community in this festive season.

Bottomline : All is well...!

4/5