My Review: Chennaiyil Oru Naal
Remake of Malayalam trend-setter "Traffic", "Chennaiyil Oru Naal"(CON) is faithful to the original to the extent possible but lacks the punch of the original. Screenplay is sluggish and most of the cast just sleep walk their way through. For those who have not watched the original, "Chennaiyil Oru Naal" is a good watch, one of those rear movies with a pertinent message.
Narrated in a hyperlink format, CON weaves several stories together which all meet together at a point after which the movie takes on an altogether different direction. It is an interesting script but the screenplay could have been a bit better. Due to the sluggishness of the screenplay the desired effect gets diluted. Bobby-Sanjay who did a fabulous job in the Malayalam version has not lived up to it in this remade version as far as screenplay is concerned. Ajayan Bala has co-written the screenplay with them. Saheed Kadher is the directer.
Another downside is the acting. Except for Sharathkumar who is full of energy and gumption, rest of the cast fall flat. Prakash Raj is earnest as ever while all other Cheran, Prasanna, Parvathi Menon, Iniya look disinterested. Radhika continues with her mega-serial wailing act. May be this is the difference between the original and this remake.Surya in a guest appearance falls flat, with poor writing making it an unintended comedy.
Background score is good but the songs are not that attractive. Mejo Joseph is the music director. Shehnad Jalal is the cinematographer, has done his part well.
On the whole, "Chennaiyil Oru Naal" is a one time watch for its novel narrative structure which is not that common in Tamil Cinema and for the message it tries to deliver.
Bottomline: Pale remake
2.5/5
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