Coming from the combo that delivered one of the biggest hits of 2007, #Mozhi, Abhiyum Naanum, from director #RadhaMohan - #Prakashraj combo, turned out to be yet another memorable outing. Released this day 10 years ago, Abhiyum Naanum was a heartwarming tale on the bonding between a protective and loving dad and his daughter, and his coming of age.

The movie was a simple and sweet story of a father Raghuram, played by Prakashraj, for whom his daughter Abhi is his world, and means more than anything else. The film is presented to the audience as Raghuram traverses down the memory lane, as he narrates how his life as a father has gradually changed, from the day Abhi was born, till date, to Sudhakar (played by Prithviraj, in a cameo).

Raghuram has been presented as a caring and protective father, who doesn't want to let go of Abhi, even for her education to Delhi, while Abhi, right from her childhood, always wants to explore things, be it joining school. or riding a cycle, and stays clear on what she wants. As a character in the movie itself mentions, Abhi, is more a replica of her mother Anu (played by Aishwarya), as they are very practical. Humour interlaced screenplay balancing emotions, has always been the forte of Radhamohan, and Abhiyum Naanum, was no exception.

His central characters are neatly etched.Raghuram is that affectionate dad anyone would love to have,as he gets whatever can make Abhi happy,even joining a beggar as a part of their family, casually dealing a case of Abhi receiving a love letter, and advising her that its not just her right, but her responsibility to shape her life the way she loves and deciding on love, when it strikes her. Abhi, who grows up with Raghuram, is extremely affectionate on him as well, (even fulfilling his crazy desire of shouting out loud on a full moon night from the center of a lake!), except that she always knows what she wants and does, and gets it even if it doesn't convince Raghuram instantly. With every lesson that Abhi gives Raghuram, be it her "I know what I am doing" when she stops him from following her to school as she rides a cycle, to a subtle "Pothum pa" when Raghu wants to conduct a grand wedding as opposed to her wish of a simple registered marriage, Abhi slowly but gradually brings about a change in Raghuram. The biggest shocker Abhi brings to Raghu, her love Joginder Singh aka Jogi (Ganesh Venkatram), also impresses and changes Raghu, as he slowly grows on him, from being a hated Sardarji, to earning the respect of his father in law with his jovial character and his genuineness, making him assured that his Abhi is in safe hands,and together Abhi and Jogi transform Raghuram from the crybaby who is in tears as he drops her in school on the first day, to a calm and composed dad, who sends off the couple to Delhi, beaming with happiness and a content feeling.

Other than the main characters, Radhamohan's interesting supporting characters too impress as always, with Aishwarya playing a practical mother, in total contrast to Prakashraj's role, but at the same time is loving and supportive to her daughter as well, Kumaravel as Ravi Shastri, the beggar turned integral part of the family, who sees his mother in Abhi and her kindness, sharing a unique bond with her, Thalaivasal Vijay as Raghuram's friend Mohan, who is equally affectionate on Abhi, and expresses his agony of not having a child, to finally get inspired by Jogi to adopt a child, Manobala in a funny character Varadharajan, evoking laughs with his silly questions and Prakashraj's hilarious responses to them.

Though Abhiyum Naanum was a Prakashraj hunting ground, as he excelled displaying wide range of emotions throughout the movie, Trisha, as Abhi, made a mark too despite limited scope. as the daughter who has the clarity on her decisions, but is worried on how her loving father could deal with the reality. CP Narayanan and R Subramanian's witty and sharp dialogues were an asset to the movie, and Vidyasagar made his presence felt with the lovely lullaby "Vaa Vaa En Devathaiye" that portrays the lovely father - daughter bonding. With a neat screenplay sans unwanted cliches, double entendres/ crass one-liners, commercial/masala compromises Abhiyum Naanum still succeeded at the box office as well, besides winning hearts of audience and critics alike, and this is the Radhamohan everyone would love to witness again. Waiting for Prakashraj and Radhamohan to join hands again with something interesting and memorable, sometime soon.

Some lovely dialogues from the movie:

"நம்ம குழந்தைங்க நம்ம மூலமா இந்த பூமிக்கு வந்தவங்க. அதுக்கு மேல அவங்கமேல நமக்கு எந்த உரிமையும் கிடையாதுடா.நாம அவங்களுக்கு கொடுக்க வேண்டியதெல்லாம், நிக்குறதுக்கு நல்ல வேரும்,பறக்குறதுக்கு நல்ல றெக்கையும்!"

"ஒரு குழந்தை பிறக்கும் போது, ஒரு அப்பாவும் கூடவே பிறக்குறான்.ஆனா என்ன, குழந்தைங்க கிடுகிடுன்னு வளர்ந்துருவாங்க, சில அப்பாங்க வளரவே மாட்டாங்க. குழந்தையாவே இருந்துருவாங்க!"

"வாழ்க்கைல எல்லார்மேலயும் பாசமா இருக்குறது ஒரு ஸ்டேஜ். அதுல இருந்து பக்குவமா விடுபடுறது இன்னொரு ஸ்டேஜ். நான் தெளிவா இருக்கேன். Life is Beautiful!"

#AbhiyumNaanum,is a good take on parenting, with a screenplay that presents an interesting perspective of the quote, "Child is the father of man", as Raghuram grows up along with Abhi, and comes of age finally, ultimately realizing that he must let his beloved daughter spread wings and fly high,living her life as she desires, happily.