Azhagiya Tamil Magan
Movie
Azhagiya Tamil MaganDirector
BarathanProducer
Swagachitra AppachanMusic
A R RahmanCast
Vijay, Shriya, Ashish Vidyarthi, Sayaji Shinde, Geeta
By Moviebuzz
Three Cheers! Ilayathalapathy Vijay has delivered something
different from his usual formula films. The most refreshing thing about
Azhagiya Tamil Magan,
is that it combines mainstream Tamil film aesthetics with all Vijay
image props. What sails the film through is its sense of humour. The
gags are funny and so are the one-liners, and debutant writer –
director Barathan makes it work due to smart packaging.
ATM may not be palatable to everyone, but for those who suck up this
brand of humour with a straw, it’s plenty tickling. Leave your logical
mind at home, crank up that sense of humour, and it’s a roller coaster
ride of pure unadulterated masala. However, the director is not
bothered about the story as it is wafer thin, and in the climax he just
cannot fathom how to end the film.
The highlight here is that there are two Vijay’s- a good guy and the
bad guy. Barathan has tried out a new format, where both the hero and
the villain entertain the audiences with howlarious moments, that
brings the house down. Vijay makes it work and believable as he melds
effortlessly from casual sang froid to utter seriousness.
Guru (Vijay) a business management student is an ace sprinter, who
lives with his friends (Santhanam and Sathyan) in a house owned by
former sex- bomb Shakeela (Shakeela in a cameo as herself!) in a
colony. He is a good guy and a favourite with his friends and
neighbours, and is close to his father and mother (Geeta) who lives in
a village near Madurai. One day he meets Abhinaya (Shreya), a rich girl
and daughter of a tycoon (Ashish Vidyarti) who slowly falls in love
with him due to his good nature. After some running around, both the
parents agree for their marriage.
Suddenly Guru starts seeing things that are going to happen in the
immediate future! The doctors say he has Extra-Sensory Perception
(ESP), and he has two bitter experiences regarding it. Just before Guru
and Abhi are to be engaged, Guru gets a very disturbing ESP, of him
killing Abhinaya! A shattered Guru distances himself from Abhi and goes
away to Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Prasad (Vijay),a spitting image of Guru, a financier and
loan shark comes to Chennai and accidentally bumps into Abhi who
mistakes him for Guru! Prasad, a mercenary makes merry with Abhi and
soon gets engaged to her. Meanwhile Guru sensing trouble, comes back to
Chennai to save his lady love, which leads to the final twist in the
climax.
The hilarious bickering and bonding between Shriya and Vijay, the scene
where they first meet in the temple, stays with you. The bad guy Prasad
reciting Tamil poem in college function to felicitate Guru is
hilarious. Shriya has a meaty role and has as much footage as the hero
and her character is the crux around which ATM revolves. She is pure
eye candy and emotes sufficiently well, especially in the crucial
climax scene. Santhanam as hero’s side kick is a revelation and raises
the comedy bar to a new level. Ashish Vidyarti, Geeta and Ganja Karuppu
has small roles.
At the centre of all this mirth is the magical Vijay in a dual role.
His terrific comic timing, his ability to mock and lampoon makes his
performance absolutely knockout. In the negative character Prasad’s
role he is the veritable scene stealer. He has dubbed impressively
modulating his voice for both the characters, and the way he dances in
the introductory title song is amazing. No two ways about it, Vijay is
the heart and soul of ATM!
Count among the high points- A.R Rahman’s chic score, with the opening song
Ella Puzhal…. rendered by him being the pick of the lot, the remix Ponmagal
Vanthal… is an energetic song done beautifully in a studio set. Nee Marliyn
Monroe…
an item number picturised on Vijay and Namitha in Phuket islands (has
been butchered by the censors!) However the song that is going to be
popular with the masses is the folk number Maduraikke Poggathadi,
again picturised to give the Tamil nativity feel. Cinematographer
Balasubramanian has been able to create breathtaking images along with
stunning DI work.
Among the major drawback is its length- 2 hours and 51 minutes! It
needs urgent trimming mainly in the first half which is too long and at
times sags. All Hyderabad locations seen in various Mahesh Babu films
have been used and passed off as Chennai! The film has a problem in its
climax, as mass audiences will not able to digest it.
However, if you are looking for some clean fun filled time go for ATM.
The one-man entertainment troupe Vijay will make your day!
Verdict: Masala Entertainer
