Em Mahan takes off from where Cheran's Thavamai Thavamirundhu, in that the story moves around the unique relationship between a father and son.
Metti Oli fame Thirumurugan has dished out an emotional saga chronicling minutely the minutiae of the bitter-sweet emotions that are specific to a hard working man and his son whose world views are slightly different.
At a time when commercial cliches are holding sway, the director has tried his luck with emotions and sentiments. The story is set in an average middle-class family and the strength of the director lies in getting the specifics right and real.
After a long gap, Nasser is back on familiar ground shouldering the major burden in the move. Young Bharath plays Nasser's son and has got under the skin of his character. Vadivelu playing Bharath's uncle occupies a major screen space. Gopika, who looks dazzling in half-saris, in a de-glamorized role, has a part to play in the movie.
Emtan (Nasser) runs a provision shop in a village. His son Krishna (Bharath), a student of poultry science student, helps him in the shop. A strict father Emtan is always at his son's back. His strict ways of dealing his son leaves an uncomfortable scene in the house. Vadivelu (Krishna's uncle) is the only solace for him in the house.
Krishna meets his childhood crush Janani (Gopika), daughter of his uncle (Shanmugarajan). Both their families are at loggerheads. A death in their family brings them together. Unfortunately Krishna and Janani are caught romancing which again leaves a split in the family. While Emtan drives his son out, Janani also walks away with him. The rest is about how Krishna manages to come up in life and a heartrending sequence of events which reunites the family.
Nasser as a strict father dazzles. He has lived the character. He brings to life a loving and caring father, who doesn't know how to show his love and affection towards his son. A seasoned actor, at several places, he lets has expressive eyes and body language does the talking.
Bharath, who seems to choose his scripts with care, has played his part well. Maturing in every film, Bharath has proved that he can do serious roles too.
Vadivelu hogs all limelight. Caught between Emtan and his son, he has given right expressions. More than his humor, his emotions click. Gopika fits in nicely as a comely girl.
The movie also has Saranya, Shanmugarajan and Gajala among others.
Vidyasagar is also another hero of the film. His background scores and folk-based tunes are big highlights.
Sevilo Raja, the debutant cinematographer, has caught the emotions of artistes well with lots of close-up shots that have become a rarity these days.
Produced by Sathyajothy Thyagarajan, Thirumurugan deserves a pat for making an honest try that may go down well with the B and C centre audience.
