In the unruly scorching sun, how about a breezy, funny romcom? Director Anand serves a plateful of comedy on a lighthearted love story, in 'India Pakistan'.
Plot:
The movie opens in a chase. Later, Karthik (Vijay Antony) and Mellina (Sushma Raj) bump into each other at a mall and are smitten by the encounter. But this hardly lasts, as they are duped into sharing the same space for office, while they are actually rivals in profession, as equally qualified lawyers. They decide to leave the office for the other, on the condition that whoever manages to find the first case, wins. Finally, there does come a land dispute, but the two advocates handle the same case in opposition to each other. While they try their best to win over the other, they fail to realise that they are putting themselves in deep trouble of a concealed murder and the allied rowdyism. Will their misunderstanding ever take a change im the direction of wind at all?
Performance and Screenplay:
Vijay Antony is on the big screen for the third time, and for the first time in a comic flick. Though he is adept with camera and performs to his role, it severely lacks appeal, as his face expressions (or the lack thereof) fail him. Sushma has given her best to what the role demands - silly at times but confident always, as the role has been crafted. Jegan plays Hari Dass, the broker for housing, and has tickled our funny bone, throughout his presence as and when, by his quick wits.
However long the first half may have come across, comedy traverses to a whole new level in the latter half, with the full blown, mind blowing performance of MS Baskar and Pasupathy. The two disputing over a common piece of land, play ignorant yet aggressive villagers, who refuse to shake hands in peace, with each other. The last half hour is a cracker of entertainment, with Kali Venkat adding to the league, giving us so much to enjoy and laugh about. Although brief, Urvashi's performance is worth mentioning, for her natural ease with her role.
Om on camera has done a good job - there are no hitches. Deena's music is befitting support to the movie, though sounding familiar very often. The case is likewise for choreography and song settings, and even for the style of screenplay, through most part of the first half.
Plusses:
- Comedy in second half is a clear win
- Pasupathy, MS Baskar, Kali Venkat and Jegan are pillars to the film
- Last half hour is thoroughly entertaining
What could have been better:
- Plot is loose. The film could have been intense than be this hollow
- Flow of the story is thoroughly predictable. What retains you on the seat is the expectation for variety in comedy, which is delivered fairly well
- Scenes, moves, settings and flow of the film, display glaring hints of familiarity
- The film could have definitely done better at a shorter length
Verdict : Lighthearted romcom oozing deja vu
Rating: 2/5
