Maniratnam and romance has always been a safe bet. After a few hiccups in “Ravan” and “Kadal” Maniratnam had a decent outing in “OK Kanmani”. Perhaps that fueled his desire to go all out with a romantic breezer in “Kaatru Veliyidai”.
KV begins well with a lot of “Mani moments” but sadly they disappear often and we are stuck with a script that does not “take off”. The pilot, doctor love story rambles on the runaway and does not soar. There sure are a few nostalgic moments but even they fail to click unlike his previous movies. It is disheartening to note that Maniratnam indulges in “ridiculous” logic that can well shame a masala movie.
The charm of a romantic movie is always its lead pair, and here we have Karthi and Aditya Rao, unfortunately they look more a couple when they fight than when in love. Karthi has put out his best, but that is so short of what the role requires, he lacks the charm, the smug and the energy of a romantic male lead. Maniratnam would have seriously wanted Karthi’s elder brother with a “few more inches” for this role. Aditya Rao is the surprise package of the film and she comes out with a wonderful performance that sadly is not matched by Karthi. Others are quite OK in the film.
Maniratnam cannot disappoint you visually and KV is helped by amazing locales and brilliant technicians. Ravi Varman provides viewers with “visual indulgence” while ARR gives an enjoyable musical score with a few entertaining songs and a spunky back ground score. The editing is decent while the dialogues are good. Maniratnam, the director is intact.
Kaatru Veliyidai more or less is a disappointment, more because it fails to haunt you, nor move you.
KAATRU VELIYIDAI – SALLADAI !!
2.25/5
B.U.Shreesha
