Pudhiya Geethai, 2003

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/16/stories/2003051601130200.htm

"Pudhiya Geethai"... driving home a useful message.

POSITIVE THINKING is imperative for achieving goals, is what Viswaas' "Pudhiya Geethai" underlines. The end is predictable, but the conviction with which the climax drives home the message makes it interesting.

Sarathi (Vijay) is an incredibly energetic young man - student, businessman, a friend in need and a loving son. The bubbling enthusiasm, genial smile that has a shade of innocence about it and the busy-as-a-bee kind of role is rather new for the generally stone-faced, slothful Vijay one is used to watching on screen.

The film gets its title from the fact that the hero expounds on life's philosophy. Suji (Meera Jasmine), a bespectacled dullard, is a friend of Sarathi, till things take a different turn. Jo (Amisha Patel) is again a friend. Predictions at birth clearly indicate that this wizard of a hero would live only till the age of 27. And the story takes off from Sarathi's 27th year.

Vijay presents the character that has a quite a few nuances, creditably. Mention must be made of the scene in which he desperately reels out details about himself, to the doctor, even as he is losing consciousness. The dialogue, in particular, helps make the necessary impact. Suji (Meera Jasmine), who is initially childish, blossoms into a mature girl, once she falls in love. The sudden transformation is unrealistic. And spectacles or no spectacles this heroine is indeed charming. But the same cannot be said of Amisha Patel, who makes her debut in Tamil with "Pudhiya Geethai".

Thin in appearance and artificial in expression, Amisha has not made her Tamil launch memorable.

Reddiar (Kalabhavan Mani), is the stereotyped villain. But the interesting change is reserved for the climax, where Mani makes an impression.

Kalairani deserved better roles, one always thought. The little scope she's been given, she has utilised well in "... Geethai." Sanjay is almost a constant in Vijay's films. As the fisherman friend Lawrence, who is in love with Sarathi's sister, the youngster does a neat job. Nasser in such a miniscule role? - really sad. The mother of the heroine, clinging to her youth, reeks of artificiality.

Dance masters Lawrence and Rajasekar have used some appreciable dance movements in the song sequences. The scene in which the hero falls from the terrace of the college has been well captured. Ramesh Krishna is the cinematographer.

Karthik Raja's re-recording enhances the effect of many scenes, including the fight sequences.
It is a pity that a composer with such potential remains under utilised. Yuvan Shankar Raja's songs, however, don't stir you much.

Unlike many films today, writer-director Jagan's "Pudhiya Geethai" is purposeful.