On Thani Oruvan

               The surprising thing about Thani Oruvan is, its not a remake.When I learnt about the actor-director combination ('Jeyam' Ravi and Raja) naturally assumed this must be another one of those Telugu remakes which they did a lot from 2003.[Jeyam(2003),M.Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi(2004),Something Something Unakum Enakum(2006),Santhosh Subramanyam(2008),Thillalangadi(2010)].

Though the above films were commercial success and did a lot to boost Ravi's carrier,it did nothing to boost the image of Dir.Raja, as these were xerox copies of their Telugu counterparts.His only and one original movie Velayutham(2011) was an average and rumored to be an unofficial remake of a Telugu movie.

But Thani Oruvan is fresh.The outstanding acheivement of the movie is its antagonist Arvind Swamy. As Siddharth Abimanyu, he gives one hell of a terrific performance.I wouldn't want him as my enemy.So we have to appreciate the guts of Mithran(Ravi) who chooses him as his enemy not by chance but by choice.

The movie is all about the cat and mouse play between Siddharth and Mithran. Siddharth is scientist who runs a medical mafia and kills who ever on his way and the son of state minister Sengalvarayan(Thambi Ramaiya).This father-son duo is one of the best in recent Tamil Cinema.Mithran is an IPS officer fresh from academy and an orphan.We are hooked up in the movie till last minute investing in the fate of Siddharth and Mithran with the help of lots of twists and turn in the screen play.

Nayanthara as Mahima succeeds in not irritating the hell out of me whenever I see a heroine pining away for the hero and vice versa.Nothing much.
The back score and songs are okay but not that much catchy.

Jayam Ravi as Mithran  has done a decent job. But the fact is he does not have much of screen presence. Aravind Samy as Siddharth beats him by miles in performance.I have enjoyed tiniest bit reactions of Arvind than a full page dialogue delivery of Ravi.

Raja has done a good job in explaining that the Hero beats his enemy not because the villain is a damn fool but has made a mistake.Watch movie for that said mistake. The movie could have toned down the violence level,the torturing of Jana,an IPS officer is very much disturbing to say least.Not sure how they secured 'U' certificate in censor board.

Mithran seems to be the embodiment of goodness and preaches a lot.He advises heroine,his friends then even the villain a lot. No wonder he fell in love once the heroine started advising him for a change. But we dont feel the same fire he feels. A star with more charisma on screen might have done the role better.

A good movie and worth watch for Siddharth Abimanyu and Mithran.