Film- Romeo
Director- Vinayak Vaithianathan
Cast- Vijay Antony,Mrinalini Ravi,Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh,Sha Ra, Roju, Shalini, Ilavarasu, Thalaivasal Vijay, Sreeja Ravi, Sudha, Advaith, Jaya Samridha.
The plot revolves around a successful businessman Arivu, who falls for a comely girl Leela and marries her. Learning the truth that she was a reluctant bride forced into marriage by her father and that she had dreams of becoming an actor, its about how he facing her hostility, goes all out to fulfill her dream.
Debutant director Vinayak Vaithianathan ( worked with vijay Antony) has weaved a scenario that is breezy, lighthearted and amusing with quite a few fun moments. There are the cliches, and the predictability of the direction the story would take. But there is an old world charm and a feel good flavour, that pervading almost throughout,keeps one engaged, despite its flaws and glitches.
The plot has touches of films like ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ in the moments where Arivu creates an alter ego who befriends and motivates Leela. There is the ‘Om Shanti Om’ touch point related to Arivu’s pyrophobia. The entry of a villain towards the fag end, is a contrived scenario.
Taking a break from his action- avatars, Vijay Antony lets his defenses down. The romcom reveals a different side of his screen persona. Antony oozes charm and simplicity, as he plays the caring concerned husband, who takes every humiliation and embarrassment he is subjected to by Leela and her group of friends ( Roju,Sha Ra, Shalini, fitting in suitably) in his stride.
Mrinalini Ravi’s Leela is well played and adds value to the proceedings.Yogi Babu essays Arivu’s love guru, his act pepping up the scenario. Enjoyable are the self-referential jokes not just by Antony’s character, but by others too. Such as VTV Ganesh who plays Antony’s uncle.
Fairly engaging and a wholesome family entertainer, ‘Romeo’ (146 minutes) could do with a watch.
Malini Mannath
Malini Mannath 