Andhra Pradesh

A decent Deepavali gift

Tarun and Priyamani in ‘Nava Vasantam’

Film: Nava Vasantam

Cast: Tarun, Akash, Sunil, Rohit

Director: Shahjahan

What is the formula for a perfect friendship? Sacrifice! Maybe yes. This film Nava Vasantam is about how three friends suffer from parental scorn, flee to the city to pursue their dreams and find God in the form of a friend. Thanks to self-assured directing and an unhurried rhythm, the film is a testament to the therapeutic power of friendship. It tempers pain with humour and in a measured yet lively manner passes an underlying message that parents should give their childr en some breathing space, respect and infuse some confidence, self esteem to become successful in life.

Released in Tamil as ‘Punnaigai Desam’, it is clearly a character study but one fails to understand how three helpless friends lean on an equally helpless friend for support that too in a city of opportunities.

Despite the maudlin and melodramatic tone, you will find the film engrossing. While sentiment gives the film its shape and heart, it also relies on romance and light moments to keep the story moving and the interest alive to an extent.

The only ridiculous part of the story is Tarun’s unconvincing duet with an unimaginably under aged cousin.

Casting is one of the film’s strengths and the interaction between the friends is interesting. It would be hard to imagine anyone other than Sunil as the wisecracking ventriloquist and Akash’s makes his role insufferable and likable at the same time. Rohit is earnest in his work and this can be touted as a perfect come back vehicle for Tarun; his performance is sure to appeal to one and all. Likewise, Priyamanis effervescent personality and Ankita’s buoyant nature lend credibility.

Not so great music, lack of comedy and a slow second half threatens to dilute the impact to an extent but overall, Nava Vasantam can be termed as a decent diwali gift for movie buffs.

Y.SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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