Idhu Namma Aalu Movie Review

Cast: STR, Nayanthara, Andrea, Soori, Jayaprakash, Arjunan, Jai, Santhanam (special appearance) & others 

Cinematography: Balasubramaniem

Music: TR Kuralarasan

Editing: Praveen KL

Digital Imaging Technician: Gopal Balaji

Written & Directed by: Pandiraj

Produced by: Simbu Cine Arts & Pasanga Productions

Distribution: Sri Thenandal Films

Release Date: 26-05-2016

Run Time: 02:17:00

Pandiraj is one director who is known for his successful showcasing of rural scripts packed with strong dialogues and down to earth characters. However, with the recent shift to the metro cities in his backdrops, his style of presentation has changed on the whole. With Idhu Namma Aalu, the director tries a complete rom-com packed with the usual draw in of familial situations and emotions.

Splitting the film into two, it is the first half that ends up as the better of the two with the comic episodes between STR and Soori being the USP. Though Pandiraj is judgemental in his views of the corporate/city life, it is quite likable thanks to the comic episodes which lead up to a nicely poised interval block. It is only in the latter half of the film where things slow down, as the director continues to play around with the light heartedness rather than shifting gears to serious shades. The silly climax which falls flat doesn’t help the proceedings much either.

A lot of things in Idhu Namma Aalu work. For starters, it is the amazing casting. STR is brilliant with his clean shaven good boy look, comic timing and the priceless charm that is usually associated with all his films. Nayanthara gets a lot of screen time, though her conversations are mostly toned down to that on the phone. Andrea on the other hand, is pure eye candy, for there is nothing much to invest in her portions which lag around. The show stealer here is Soori, who hits back with funny counters to the lead pair’s dialogues. His lines do bring the roof down at many places. The supporting cast are aptly put, but the scenes involving them bring in the feel of a TV serial.

With good cinematography and bright costumes, the film provides lovely visuals despite the length which feels elasticized even at two and a half hours. Musically, Idhu Namma Aalu is a great debut for Kuralarasan who shows high promise for the future. His adapted style of music largely works in the BGM department as well, laudable debut by the youngster.

Overall, Idhu Namma Aalu is a fine one time watch for the weekend, but the film offers nothing more than that. Simple, straightforward story, great casting, enjoyable music with some clap worthy dialogues. Pandiraj is on minimum guarantee mode, but we need much more to instigate an impact into this.

Idhu Namma Aalu Movie Review Rating: 2.75/5

Also read our other Tamil Movie Reviews