Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam - Bold, honest, innovative and entertaining
Young writer- director Prabhu Jeyaram a welcome new find is authoritative in conveying his messages boldly and at the same time has won big in his innovative storytelling too.
On rare occasions Tamil cinema produces films that come out of the blue carrying the least expectations but taking everyone by surprise and giving a new experience to the audiences. 'Ennanga Sir Unga Sattam' is one such film that is delightfully entertaining and honest in conveying its hard hitting messages in spite of its shortcomings.
'Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam' is actually two very different stories with the same cast which in itself is innovative and gives an altogether fresh movie experience. A wannabe filmmaker narrates a coming of age story to a movie producer and its all about the romantic escapades of a young man played by R.S. Karthik. In various stages he falls in love with three women belonging to the Christian, Muslim and Hindu religions and how each one of the relationships is broken is told in a hilarious manner. Especially the scene in which Karthik dupes his mother into changing her name will bring the roof down. When the producer remains unmoved by the story the film making aspirant goes on to narrate a serious story of how the reservations in the government sector jobs affect three young men belonging to high and low castes. What follows is a honest, thought provoking screenplay that leaves you glued to the screen.
The best performer in 'Ennanga Sir Unga Sattam' is veteran actress Rohini who plays a woman of low intelligence in the first part to perfection and transforms into a high ranked government official in the second. R.S. Karthik though reminding one of 'Attakathi' in the first half is very convincing as the jobless romeo in the first half and the lower cast priest in the second. Junior Balayya, Ayraa, Bhagavathi Perumaal and the rest of the cast have all done their parts well. 'Bigg Boss' fame Meera Mitun appears in a character very close to her real life persona and provides great relief in an otherwise intense episode.
There are more than a few things that work best in 'Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam' and the first is the innovative style of first giving the audience a jolly good time with a light story and then hand over the relevant messages without any compromise in the second. Though on the surface level the first half seems light the politics within the family, between the boy and the girl and the influence of caste and religion in romance is has been clearly underlined. Coming to the second half the film is very honest in taking its stand that the uplifting of the poor is what is important irrespective of which caste they belong to.
The dialogues are powerful, uncompromising and hard hitting and would have received thunderous applause if the film released in theaters. The climax sequence shown in parallel of a lower class Brahmin, a lower caste priest and a poverty ridden man struggle to attain their life goals and the factors that affect them is a truly riveting watch.
On the flip side some of the scenes are staged in a not so complimentary manner that dilutes the intensity. Budgetry constraints are pretty obvious in a few sequences and Rohini's actions in the climax to help a deserving candidate is not so convincing even though the director himself uses it as a ploy to give a hopeful ending.
Guna Balasubramaniam's music is cheerful in the first half and his bit songs for the romance are all catchy. "Jeeraga Biryani" and the melancholic song in the second half are memorable. Other technical contributions are on par. Passion Studios known for backing meaningful films is behind this little gem. Young writer- director Prabhu Jeyaram a welcome new find is authoritative in conveying his messages boldly and at the same time has won big in his innovative storytelling too.
Verdict : Dont miss this innovative and entertaining film that is honest in conveying its bold messages
