Bhagavathi, Nov 04th, 2002

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/11/08/stories/2002110801070202.htm

"Bhagavathy"... showcasing the power of the hero.

A CRIMINAL is a product of circumstance goes the movie axiom. And it is this line that is as old as the hills, which comes to the fore yet again in Lakshmi Movie Makers' "Bhagavathy".
The hero turns into an underworld don but does not seek to avenge the villain who brought it all about. Instead his aim is to see that his dead brother's child is born safely into this world, though the ruthless grandpa of the child wants it killed even in its foetal stage.

Bhagavathy (Vijay) is a tea stall owner - a rough, uneducated young man who strives to educate his brother Guna (Jai). Guna is responsible and studious but makes the fatal mistake of falling in love with the ruthless MP's (Ashish Vidyarthi) daughter, who has the young man killed. And once he knows that his daughter Priya (Monica) is expecting Guna's baby, he orders that his daughter too be done away with. It is now the Bhagavathy's turn to show his brutal power. The quiet and harmless hero becomes a don overnight - you saw it in "Thamizh", and now you see it in "Bhagavathy".

Vijay, who generally does not believe in exerting himself too much in the emotions department, (there are a couple of exceptions though), has made a laudable effort in "Bhagavathy". His anguish at his brother's untimely death, and his subsequent determination to save his brother's loved one have been well delineated by him. But in the romantic sojourns in foreign milieu, the hero is almost stone-faced.

As always the heroine (here, it is Reema Sen) is a forgettable commodity. The duets and the "Vikkal... " song seem thrust in between only to hamper the pace of "Bhagavathy". But such `masala' must have been deemed essential by director Venkatesh, whose "Chocklet" and its "Malai... .." number were lapped up by the masses. The story and screenplay are again by Venkatesh.

Pattukottai Prabhakar's dialogue comes with a punch or two. But the hero, who prides in acting with much forethought, does not appear very sensible. Why else would he have arranged for his brother's wedding when the fellow was still a student and the time so obviously inopportune? Acting with patience and prudence would have shown him in better light.

Again Reema's justification about having exposed Priya to immense danger at the shopping centre is absolutely stupid. But probably one does not raise such queries about formula films.
The MP making a fool of himself time and again and suddenly shown standing vulnerable in the midst of nowhere with the hero going round and round with a cavalcade of Sumo vehicles in tow, are more hilarious than the comic strains of Vadivelu.

The film that seemed to move at an interesting pace makes a nosedive in the climax, with the murder of the politician Singamuthu (Ilavarasu). And that includes the arrest and subsequent release of the hero on bail.

Youth, July 19th, 2002

http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/review/youth.html

In Lakshmi’s Production the ‘Youth’ blends with love and Comedy an interestingly it is unemotional. After Vijay’s ‘Tamizan', this movie takes you back again to Vijay’s masala of Romance.

It is a story of a youth Vijay who takes life as it comes. He lives to his philosophy of being happy even in times of sorrows.Vijayakumar’s daughter at the time of wedding with Shiva(Vijay)elopes. Vijay is unruffled. Amidst the chaos, Vijay convinces everyone that it is not a matter to be perturbed. He leaves to Chennai with his cousin Prabhu(Shyam Ganesh) in search for a job, but happily falls in love with Sandhya and keeps flirting with her forgetting his job.

Vijay has nothing much to be well-spoken in this film. The much said dialogues of Vijay with similes, Clichés, outpouring messages, and repetitive dialogues like Rajinikanth is the backdrop of the film. The dialogue writer Prasanna Kumar reigns the show because the film moves only with dialogue without much of dramatic action.

The Villain’s (Yugendran) clever dialogue is more humorous and captivating especially when he takes up the opposite point of view of a person.

The much contributing factor of the film is Vivek’s comedy.Vivek usually leaves a message in his comedy, but here karuthu kandaswamy’s(vivek) comedy itself becomes the subject of redicule.It is the comic element which predominates and succeeds the story and helps us really to sit back in the film.

The comedy of V.M.C Hanifa as a drunkard, is hilarious especially in the auto rickshaw scene with vivek where they think they are driving to T.Nagar.

The new heroine Sandhya who has the similar features of the heroine of Tamilzan is more slim and dainty like but does nothing to impress us. Vijay's heroine of late seem to be of same taste and style.Simran has done a neat dance number.

The music director ManiSharma has given two or three hit songs. His songs "Sagiye Sagiye", Althota Boopathy" are melodious.Vairamuthu lyrics are noteworthy in his songs ‘santhosam’.
The story moves in snails pace giving little work to your imagination.

If youth is beautiful …then this ‘Youth’ is youthful.

Tamizhan, Apr 14th, 2002

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/apr/26tam.htm

Debutant directors seem to be making inroads in the Tamil film industry.

More and more stars prefer working with new directors hoping to cash in on their enthusiasm. Having to prove themselves, the newcomers give all their energy to their maiden ventures and if they triumph so does the star!

Here, looks like A Majeed has made it with Thamizhan starring Vijay, Priyanka Chopra, Nasser, Revathi and Ashish Vidyarthi.

Thamizhan has a one-line story that can be written at the back of a postage stamp --- "everyone should know law".

The fact that the makers have you riveted to your seat despite such a small main motif proves its success. Chennai's typical issues like the bus conductor not giving you back your change, water scarcity and water scandals, form the issues that are taken up on screen which the audiences will lap up.

Vijay who seems to be getting younger is his usual lively self and has a sister, brother-in-law and their kid for family. As an unemployed law graduate, he decides to take up social issues after a sounding from his sister (Revathi).

With Vijay as the do-gooder, the bad guys cannot be far behind. Vijay’s clean-up acts adversely affect baddie GK (Ashish Vidyarthi), who avenges his loss by killing Vijay's folks. He, of course, also manages to tarnish Vijay’s image. How he fights evil without breaking any rules is the remainder of the film. There are some lighter moments in the film as well. Note Vijay's scenes with Delhi Ganesh who plays his senior advocate.

Most films starring Vijay are marked by good music and dance sequences. Both --- good music and dance sequences --- are missing here. Debutant music director D Imaan still has a long way to go to make a mark. He probably will, as he seems to have the enthusiasm to keep him going.
Former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, on the other hand, shows no promise.

Revathi and Nasser fulfill what their roles demand --- of loving family members. Ashish Vidyarthi as the villain is promising.

The dialogues are precise in parts while Ekambaram's cinematography is unobtrusive.
Thamizhan’s success at the BO will make Vijay’s diehard fans happy, especially because his last film Shahjahan was an average grosser.