Debutant director Ashok Amirtharaj's 'Thrii' brings together Ashwin Kakamanu and Swathi Reddy again as the lead pair after the 2013 super hit 'Idharkuthaney Asaipattai Balakumara'. Let's see what the film has to offer and how it will work for the audience.
Jeeva (Ashwin Kakamanu) is a happy go lucky Engineering college student. His father (Jayaprakash) is a school teacher who is highly disciplined. He is strict with his son outside but loves him within. Jeeva also is concerned about fulfilling his father's dreams about him.
During an accident. Jeeva slaps Kishore (Arjai) the son of a wicked politician Anganna (A. L. Azhagappan) and also the correspondent of the college where Jeeva is studying. Kishore avenges Jeeva by messing up with the latter's conduct certificate thereby shattering his dreams of higher education. On the other hand Angannan is the reason for the death of the father of Swathi who happens to be Jeeva's neighbor.
Jeeva decides to take on the powerful politician and his son and teach them a lesson and how he does that forms the rest of the film.
'Thrii' is yet another film of a common man hero turning larger than life and taking on the wicked elements of the society when he is affected. The film has the severe hangover of many such films we have seen in the past decades, especially Dharani's 'Dhil' and Suseenthiran's 'Naan Mahan Alla'. The additions in this film that bring a difference are the Engineering college conduct certificate matter and the relationship between father who insists on discipline and how the son who respects his father's words despite teasing him for his constant lectures about discipline.
The first half is too lengthy as the film takes a longer time than required to establish the characters and their relationships. But a few scenes in the first half, especially the interaction between the father and son are worth mentioning. The second half is relatively engaging as it caters to the expectations of commercial movie buffs. Nevertheless the tricks used by the hero to defeat the politician take enormous cinematic liberty.
Despite these complaints, 'Thiri' cannot be dismissed as bad, as the film engages the viewer to an extent and also has a good message about the importance of discipline and against education being in the hands of corrupt persons.
Ashwin has given an earnest performance and worked hard in stunt sequences. Swathi has a role that has an importance in the script but despite that she does not have any challenge to perform. The subtle portrayal of the romance between the lead characters is praiseworthy.
Jayaprakash gets to portray yet another dignified and caring father character and it is the proof for his fantastic acting skills that he impresses with such a character sketch every time. Anupama Kumar as Jeeva's caring and affectionate mother fits the bill.
A.L. Azhagappan does justice to his role as a wicked local politician but fails to make a mark as there is nothing inventive in his character. Karunakaran as hero's friend infuses a little humor but he could have been utilized much better.
Songs in Ajeesh's music are just passable while the background score is quite fitting. K.G. Venkatesh's cinematography has supplemented the narration with apt angles and lighting.
Verdict: 'three' is a run of the mill common man vs powerful politician battle which engages in parts.
