Movie Review: Aayirathil Oruvan (2010)

By SAMPURN
Saturday, January 16, 2010

Aayirathil Oruvan: Flimsy screenplay spoils it all

Rating: 3 out of 5*

Starring: Karthi, Reema Sen, Andrea, Parthiban, Prathap Potzhan, Azhagam Perumal and others

Director: Selvaraghavan

Let’s not blame Selvaraghavan for having spent a big sum and certainly a very long time to complete the film. Naturally, to experiment with a unique genre of fantasy, adventure and war, it really requires so many potentials to be drawn. But the most blatant flaw goes beneath Selvaraghavan’s script lacking substantive dioramas in various arenas.

But what stops the film from striking gold is its inability to engross the universal audiences, especially during the second hour.

Mark our words. ‘Open Ending’ is never entertained with the audiences of Tamil film industry. In all likelihood, Aayirathil Oruvan has a better first half (with usual Selvaraghavan that abundantly caters to the ‘B’ and ‘C’ centres. But the latter part flees to a different arena.

When a far-famed archeologist (Prathap Pothan) vanishes across the lands, which was once ruled by Chola Dynasty, Anitha (Reema Sen) and her group of officials are appointed by Government to unravel the mystery. Archeologist’s daughter Dr. Lavanya (Andrea) too joins the defense troupe to carry out the mission. Strapping group of men lead by Sugumaran (Karthi) is employed to assist them.

vThe journey starts off with cheerful moments at the cruise at the guys chill out boozing and tripping their light foot now and then. Let’s not forget Sugumaran, whose unrestrained one-liners are sure to tickle the funny bones. As the group shores on the mysterious island, weird scenarios starts striking and somehow the trio Sugu-Anitha-Lavanya reach the untouched lands where the archeologist disappeared.

 

But, the actual intentions of the quest in unraveled during second half with unlooked entities of Chola dynasty showing up.

What follows next is a series of mysteries, which indeed leads to terrific results.

Karthi does a wonderful job with his ostentatious characterization. Watch him articulating the local language in early hours and his gestures; it’s more off Paruthiveeran impact. But his disported performance offers a pollyannaish treat. On pars, his abrupt change of shades in the final hours is praiseworthy. Reema Sen gets a meaty role, but Selvaraghavan could’ve opted for a Tamil speaking girl suiting to the nativity. Her lip-sync turns to be inappropriate at many occasions, especially with articulation of ancient Tamil. Andrea sleepwalks through her role and looses her prominence very often.

In spite of shelling out a great publicity for Parthiban’s role, there’s nothing much impressive we tend to witness. Azhagam Perumal is okay while Prathap Pothan doesn’t appear in more than three sequences.

There’s whole lot of discontinuities spotted now and then. Watch Karthi trying to flirt with Andrea over the cruise, his face has dark tone and as getting down towards Reema, he looks so rejuvenated with fair complexion. The way this trio head through the shadows to shake off from sand dunes is an excellent piece of creativity. Perhaps, the pre-interval sequence after ‘Un Mela Aasadhan’ is a surprising act. Apparently, Karthi fans would go restless as he hardly appears over the screens. Yes, it’s all about realms of Parthiban and Reema for the next 45minutes and Karthi gets back to the picture patently during penultimate sequences.

Musical score by G.V. Prakash is spellbinding. The young lad strikes off with a fantabulous background score. ‘Un Mela Aasadhan’ is a special treat for the gold rush over lyrics and glamorous dimensions. Ramji’s cinematography is top-notching but some of his best visuals are diminished with lots of CG works. If Selva had added a melodic-song, (either ‘Maalai Neram’ or ‘Indha Paadhai’) it would have been pleasant brush up for audiences.

With a longer duration of 200 minutes, the second half will likely develop restlessness yearning for the climax portion. As mentioned earlier, Selva could’ve picked an alternative climax instead of ‘open ending’.

For sure, Aayirathil Oruvan is a noteworthy film in the history of contemporary Tamil Cinema. But, it’s strictly not for kids and family audiences.

-Richard Mahesh/Sampurn Media

Filed under: Movies, Tamil Movies

Tags:
Discussion

suck my dick
February 20, 2010: 4:26 am

dear selva,

did you yourself watch your crap with your family.
you totally fucked up tamil audience

you fucking pimp…
thanks for screwing up history.. bitch

and fuck you too Vijayalaxmi, you fucked up james Cameron… dont watch english movies… watch porn movies because you like selva movies

this crap consists of the following:
Apocalypto
gladiator
Indiana jones (all 7 fucking movies)
lara croft
troy
mummy
snakes on a plane

and honestly if you want to fuck somebody do it in your room… rather than on screen

I lost 120 rs for this crap… I can get 4 porn movie for 40 rs… why should I fuck watch this borderline porn movie

thanks for,
sucking my dick

ps… you are more capable to make 5 porn movies a month… and you will make more money

why did you take such a long time for this crap…


Vipin
February 10, 2010: 12:54 pm

I have seen the trailer.In the trailer itself have many resemblance with some english movies especialy with the classic movie “The good the bad and the ugly”.Its not a good trend.Any way im waiting for the dvd release.


ziaulhaq
February 7, 2010: 6:16 am

excellent movie

February 1, 2010: 3:20 am

The film was too good.It’s the first epic + Adventorus movie in Indian & Tamil Industry.But the story was wrong.It’s not the orginal story of the cholas.Cholas are first the dynasty to rule the south india in the late 3rd century bcoz of inner politics between the cholas they defeated by pallavas and Pandiyas.And after in the end of 8th century Cholas started their ruling power in south india through Viajayalaya King And after upto 12th century our cholas ruled the entire South India, Srilanka,South east asia countires like maldives,Srilanks,Java,Indonesia,Thailand,Malaysia and in the north they went to Gangas River and also the border of China.They are one and only power in the Past histories of Southern India.But selvaragavan blamed the cholas in his film Aayirathil oruvan its not acceptable.


selvam, Sivagangai
January 27, 2010: 2:57 am

I agree with the reviews of Kalai and Nanban.
A stupid movie it is.


Vijayalaxmi
January 27, 2010: 1:22 am

Please don’t give spoiler comments for a good movie… I would encourage such new attempts in Tamil movies… Most of us have been waiting for a fantasy & historic movie to be made in Tamil and this movie is like a starter and I totally enjoyed it… If we can believe all the above said english movies and the latest blockbuster Avatar then I think we can also watch this movie…


Chris
January 27, 2010: 1:14 am

Yes.. I am also waiting for the DVD release. But I liked the film a lot. I dont care about the originality, flaws, etc. Just amazed to see the heights tamil cinema has reached. Applause to Selva and team..


vai
January 26, 2010: 3:48 pm

This is the worst movie i hav seen… It has insulted the greatness of our Indian History and Army. Selvaragavan thinking is so worst and vulgar.


disgrace
January 25, 2010: 11:51 am

Selvaraghavan could have taken a blue film instead of insulting great chola dynasty and pandava dynasty - If he wants to make money he could a made a great epic with history and not use reema sen and parthiban for sex and seduce.
Choa dynasty and pandavan dynasty I wanted to watch with kidsdamn its fils withs ex education and anybosy can do anything to acheive teh target Cheap people They should a broader mind and vision to profile our history. First half for effort good.

profile our History Shame a disgrace to tamilians.


disgrace
January 25, 2010: 11:50 am

Selvaraghavan could have taken a blue film instead of insulting great chola dynasty and pandava dynasty - If he wants to make money he could a made a great epic with history and not use reema sen and parthiban for sex and seduce.
Choa dynasty and pandavan dynasty I wanted to watch with kidsdamn its fils withs ex education and anybosy can do anything to acheive teh target Cheap people They should a broader mind and vision to profile our History Shame a disgrace to tamilians.


Manivannan
January 24, 2010: 11:47 am

Come on guys!

I feel this is one of the best movie, this really fresh thought for Indian Cinema. I don’t know why you guys are not accepting the new thoughts.. Are you still want to see the movies Like Vetaikaran & Stupid movies. Please refresh your minds…!

Carefully watch the movie, each and every frame has been created Perfectly with perfect logic. Please don’t just throw your words, in my opinion if you are failed to get this movie defiantly something wrong on you. Or just be happy with Kuthu Songs & Other Heroic Comics.

And remember we never had the sequels in our Indian Films, this film has lot of opportunities..!


Kalaiarasan
January 24, 2010: 9:28 am

I have plenty of questions to selvaraghavan after seeing his movie. below are few.
1) Do you really know anything about tamil history , especially about cholas…? We have lived in well civilized manner before mankind started in several continents
2) Do you think our ancestors are of barbarian kind..? You shouldn,t use the names of cholas and pandias in your imaginery story throwing wrong message to future generations.
3) Do you think we are not aware of any english movie. People, if you already watched mummy, gladiator, da vinci code, 300, …., you do not go to this movie
4)what kind of audience you targeted. Children, ladies, ( especially pregnant), old people, weak hearted persons, do not watch this movie. ( I prefer no one to watch)
A story of historical kind, should expose the goodness and good presonalities, though all have bad faces.
As a fan of Ponniyil Selvan novel by kalki, I request film department to ban this movie before it brings shame to tamils from all over the world.


Selvam, Sivagangai
January 21, 2010: 5:05 am

Some Positive reviewers tend to suggest that the Negative reviewers do not like the movie because they do not understand the Chola Tamil or do not know the Tamil Chola history.
If you knew the Chola history, you will realize they were a highly civilized society. They were no barbarians. They did take shower and change clothes. They did not eat raw meat like cave men. Just because you take shelter in a cave, doesn’t mean you take on the cavemen lifestyle. I don’t know what kind of research these morons undertook. I mean you are talking about a state where actor vijay was given a doctorate award. Now think about the quality of research work you can expect from the same institution. Selvaraghavan has succeeded in debasing the Tamil culture and the people.


Nanban
January 17, 2010: 2:52 am

What a shocker the movie is. I can’t believe my eyes that so many people posted commentes that they actually liked this movie. But not in our case of 200+ audience in Melbourne. We all know Selvaraghavan movies has vulgar scences and this movie has it to its core. All I could think is what a shocker. Every scene was reminding me some hollywood movie from Mummy, The Myth, Gladiator, etc., no originality at all. My personal view you can wait for the DVD release and watch at your home.


Kalai
January 16, 2010: 7:25 am

Ayirathil Oruval(2010) - A total dissappointment.

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :