Mayakkam Enna

Story: Karthik Subramaniam (Dhanush) is an aspiring wildlife photographer, whose aim is to be featured in the National Geographic magazine, but is forced to take wedding pictures and odd assignments for a living. He gets by thanks to his group of friends -- especially Sunder (Sunder Ramu) -- who take care of him and his sister. Sunder gets a new girlfriend Yamini (Richa), and introduces her to his friends. Though Yamini and Karthik initially take a dislike for each other, they slowly fall in love. Though his friends call him 'Genius', Karthik is desperate to work as an assistant to famous wildlife photographer Madhesh Krishnaswamy (Ravi Prasad) and learn from him. Madhesh gives him an assignment and rubbishes his work, but gets the same photographs printed under his name. From then on, life goes downhill for Karthik, and redemption is a long distance away.

Review: Is Selvaraghavan maturing with age, somewhat like wine? Or is it that changes on the personal front are reflecting on his work on screen? Whatever be the case, 'Mayakkam Enna' does seem like his most personal film yet.

Though the story basically is about Karthik redeeming himself through love, much like Kadhir (Ravi Krishna) in '7 G Rainbow Colony', 'Mayakkam Enna' is a vastly different movie and a more satisfying watch than the former because there are no cringe-worthy scenes that are derogatory to women or it does not pander to the baser instincts of the front-benchers.

The movie is a beautiful study on love and friendship -- the emotions are very complex and by their very nature, they are very dynamic and in a constant state of flux -- and are portrayed very beautifully by the director. The scene in which Yamini tries to scrub dried blood off the floor even as Karthik tries to apologize to her is a masterpiece, though it would have been better if Richa underplayed the scene. There are a couple of other scenes that are sheer magic -- the uneasiness between Karthik and Yamini and the looks they exchange when a completely drunk Sunder hugs them and says, "My darlings! My best friend and my girlfriend. You and I... you and I"; and when Karthik and Yamini exchange a kiss for the first time and the former is consumed by guilt when realization hits him that the person he kissed is the girlfriend of his best buddy. Another scene that stands out is when a woman pours water on her teenage daughter and rips her clothes, telling her it would make her look sexy and desirable in her portfolio and help her get a break as a heroine, but Karthik is disgusted; he gives her a tight slap and walks out. The scene comes right at the beginning and sets the tone with Karthik's monologue ("My name is Karthik Swaminathan. My friends call me 'Genius'. I am a bit loose, maybe that is why they call me genius") for what is in store for the audience.

After a brilliant performance earlier this year in 'Aadukalam', Dhanush had no roles worth a mention. But with 'Mayakkam Enna' he proves why he is one of the best actors around. Wish he takes up only those roles that constantly challenge him as an actor. Richa gets an author-backed role in her debut film in Tamil, and uses the opportunity to the hilt, though more subtlety in some scenes would have taken her performance a notch higher.

G V Prakash has come up with a couple of good songs like 'Pirai Thedum' (GV and Saindhavi) and 'Voda voda' (Dhanush himself), which are on the top of the music charts. But the psychedelic video for 'Voda voda' and also the silly animation come as big dampeners for the song -- why this kolaveri?