Film Review: ''Veettoda Mappillai''

THIRUVALLUVAR KALAIKOODAM'S ``Veettoda Mappillai'' has a short story with a message. But as it has too much of dialogue it makes the viewer restless at times.

Kandaswamy (Vijayakumar) has three daughters and a son. They are Meena (Roja), Jamuna (Kalpana), Rani (Kovai Sarala) and Muthuppandi (`Thalai Vasal' Vijay). When he is very young, Muthuppandi fights with his father, cuts his father's hand with a knife and runs away to Mumbai. It is a difficult task for Kandaswamy to bring up his three daughters. He gives his first two daughters in marriage to his relatives, Ganga (Charlie) and Dhamu (Vaiyapuri).

Both of them are jobless and they refuse to work. They live in the same house with their wives and father-in-law. Luck smiles on Kandaswamy when he gets an honest, sincere and hard working young man, Manikkam (Napoleon), who not only takes care of Kandaswamy's restaurant but also tries to mend the ways of Ganga and Dhamu.

Because of his honesty and sincerity Kandaswamy gives his youngest daughter Meena in marriage to him. His only request to his youngest son-in-law is that the couple must stay with him.

After accepting to stay in the same house, Manikkam tries to improve the business. Then Kandaswamy's son comes back home. He stays in the same house with his wife Sumathi (Soniya).

Muthuppandi, wrongly advised by Ganga and Dhamu, takes over the restaurant and also stops Manikkam from starting an ice cream parlour. But in a moment of crisis, Manikkam helps Ganga and Dhamu with his savings. The bad man with whom Muthuppandi had become friendly, comes to Chennai and threatens him with dire consequences if he does not part with a huge sum of money.

How everything comes to a good end is told with more of dialogue and less of imaginative screenplay by the director.

The scenes are mostly filled by Charlie and Vaiyapuri and they do not miss the golden chance. Napoleon does justice to the role and Vijayakumar fits the part of the father very well. `Thalaivasal' Vijay as the spoilt son comes out with a good performance.

Among the female stars mention must be made of Roja who has kept her acting on a high scale. Kovai Sarala is her usual self. In spite of having only a few scenes Soniya catches the viewers' attention with her acting. Kalpana's dance for a song is a sore point. Thyagu and Kumarimuthu are also in the cast.

Deva's music is above average and among the five songs three will have repeated hearing. Camera handled by P. S. Selvam has meticulously followed the screenplay. The film is produced by S. S. Durairaju and K. Parthiban. Story, screenplay, dialogue and direction are handled by V. Sekhar.

S. R. ASHOK KUMAR

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : Film Review: ''Maayan''
Next     : Film Review: ''Evolution''