Rohin Venkatesan’s ADHE KANGAL generated quite some decent interest and he returns with PETROMAX a remake of the Telugu film ANANDO BRAHMA. The film is produced by Eagle Eye Productions.
It would be cliché to say that horror films have been done to death in Kollywood and yet this genre seems to attract not just the audience, but filmmakers as well. Horror has donned innumerable masks and PETROMAX is no different. A slightly altered treatment, with comedy as its mainstay, PETROMAX tries to be a little different but ends up being a typical horr-com that we are used to. The first half is a colossal bore trying to establish the premise and the characters. The second half is no different save for a 20 minute comic madness that manages to entertain. The climax again is suffocating before the credits bring the curtains down.
Tamannah is bland in an inconsequential role. Munishkanth, Kaali Venkat, Sathyan, TSK do their parts well and bring about some laughter. Prem is good too.
Dani Raymond’s cinematography is what makes this PETROMAX bright. Ghibran too does a wonderful job with his background score that is entertaining as well as effective. Leo has been less generous with the cuts and dialogues are standard. Direction by Rohin is satisfactory.
PETROMAX is 20 minutes of fun and 2 hours of tedium and yet might find its audience.
PETROMAX – PUSSSS !!
2/5
B.U.Shreesha
