Velaiyilla Pattathari

My review: Velaiyilla Pattathari

Cinematographer Velraj makes his directorial debut with Dhanush's 25th film, "Velaiyilla Pattathari" (VIP). At the outset it looks like an perfect amalgamation of scenes from movies that Dhanush himself has done in the past. And at times one can't but help the feeling that if Selvarghavan made an out and out mass commercial masala movie it will be something close to what VIP is. When there has been dearth of movie of this genre in the recent past, VIP with it's razor sharp screenplay and brilliant portrayal by actors concerned makes up for a pretty decent watch. 

Though the movie follows a predictable path with many beaten to bushes scenarios, there are quiet a few fresh scenes as well especially in the family context and the hero-heroine parts . The casualness and simplicity of the narrative elevates what would have been a pretty mundane tale. Especially the effortlessness with which both  the director and the actor Dhanush have approached the mass masala scenes make it enjoyable instead of one indulging in nitpicking. And that is precisely the reason why one even enjoys the dozen punch dialogues the protagonist mouths (to add, they are not the banal inanities a Perarasu hero mouths but loaded with wit and meaning ). When was the last time when we had  a mass masala movie without a duet or a item song or a separate comedy track with a leading comedian.  

In the short span of 25 films we have seen the numerous varieties that Dhanush can dish out. So what if he gives us a sample of all these in a single movie. VIP has Dhanush having a field day, unrestricted and fully evocative. The apathetic Dhanush one saw in "Nayyandi" seems to have transformed into a bundle of artistic energy for the better.  Amala Paul plays a perfect foil. As always assured of her own abilities, she looks gorgeous this time around. Saranya Ponvannan, in yet another typecast mother role, dishes out nothing novel. Samuthirakani is dignified in his portrayal of Dhanush's father, while Surabhi, Vivek, Amitash provide good support.

Music is already a hit even before the movie has released. But Anirudh is getting predictable be it in his tunes or his background score. But one can't deny the fact the his background score is definitely a value addition for the movie.  

It is a pretty decent debut for Velraj. His dialogues are powerful, witty and thoughtful all the same. His frames as the cinematographer is as good as ever. On the whole, he makes a perfect recipe made up of ingredients from the days immemorial. For the hero-worshiping Tamil cinema audience who have been starving for such an offering since a long time, it is a perfect dish to savor.  

Bottomline: Will surely be one of the VIP films of the year. 

3.5/5