“Vengayam” , as the name hints , deals with superstitions especially how people’s lives get altered irreparably due to unscrupulous astrologist’s irresponsible predictions. Though the movie is shot amateurishly & acting of the cast leaves a lot to be desired , still it makes an engaging viewing. Sankagiri Rajkumar who has written & directed the movie deserves all the accolades for the hard-hitting writing which elevates the movie inspite of all its mediocrities. There are very few movie nowadays which make the viewers to think & introspect , that Rajkumar has managed to make the viewers do it is a great achievement in itself.
Screenplay is engaging & keeps the viewers glued to their seats. No point in time that one feels bored which the function of the crisp & appealing storyline & neatly woven script. We have not come across such a bold , hard-hitting movie so far in Tamil. Usually those who venture into such a theme include certain elements which they justify as for commercial considerations & the rest mellow down their script so much that the movie would not have made any impact whatsoever. “Vengayam ” is oblivious of both & remains honest to what it venture out to convey without watering down of any sorts.
Dialogues are the yet another pillar of strength to the movie. They are hard-hitting, meaningful , rationalistic & makes a lot of sense. Having used to Madurai , Thirunelveli , Chennai & Coimbatore Tamil all these days in movies , it is refreshing to hear Salem Tamil for the first time (as far I have known) in a Tamil movie. As someone from Salem , I can identify with the diction & the idiosyncrasies of the language which somehow makes the viewing special for me bringing in the nostalgic memories of my childhood when our summers were spent in our villages.
As far as acting is concerned it is amateurish to put it mildly .At the same time one has to appreciate the guts of the director for he has used only people from his native soil none of whom seem to have any sort of background or knowledge of cinema or acting. Considering their limitations I think they have put in their maximum efforts. Both Alexander & Pavina, the lead pair have adequate screen presence & have done their parts professionally.
The making of the movie is good if one take into consideration the constraints of budget the makers seem to have come across. Bharani’s background score is good at many places with amateurishness raising its head here & there. “Ara Kirukan” is a very good melody number while “Achamenna achamenna” is a foot-tapping number with meaningful & insightful lyrics from Suba Veerapandiayan.
On the whole , “Vengayam” may be a meal served in an earthen plate in a thatched house made by a amatuer cook , but the meal is tasty & healthy all the same.
Bottomline : Food for thought
3/5
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