Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavanigalum – Movie Review

Cast : Arulnithi, Bindhu Madhavi, Ashrita Shetty, Bagavathy Perumal, Naasar, Aruldass & Others.

Cinematography : SR Kathir

Editing : Raja Muhammed

Music : Natarajan Sankaran

Written & Directed by : Chimbu Devan

Production : MK Tamilarasu

Distribution : JSK Film Corporation

Release Date : 04-04-2014

Run Time : 02:20:00

With Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanigalum, Chimbudevan is gradually emerging as the kingpin of light comedies. Taking inspiration from Tom Tywker’s Run Lola Run, OKMK is adapted well to suit the Tamil audiences. It is genuine, unpretentious and offers adequate amount of good laughter.

The opening scene of the film happens in heaven (at least that’s what we believe it is) where Naaradhar and Bramma are having a conversation on the importance of time in our lives. Naaradhar is of the opinion that one minute won’t make a big difference to anyone and Bramma quickly denies it. Then the issue gets escalated to Lord Shiva. Lord decides to teach Naaradhar a lesson and asks him to pick a person on earth to make us all understand the value of time. Yes, you guessed it right. That person happens to be Tamil (Arulnidhi). Now, the stage is set, though not perfectly yet.

Tamil (Arulnidhi), Malar (Bindhu Madhavi) and Bagavathi Perumal are friends and everyone is facing a big trouble in their lives. Tamil needs money for his mother’s operation, Malar needs money to settle her dad’s debts whose financier is at their doorstep everyday harassing them and B. Perumal simply needs money. How do they arrange money and get rid of their troubles? Now, the stage is perfectly set.

OKMK has three stories narrated from three different point of views. Remember Virumaandi? But the concept here is totally different. Here, the three stories are commonly connected by time. For example, the first story starts at 8.59 PM and the every other story is offset by a minute. What difference does that one minute make? That’s how we get three different stories narrated beautifully with of course some cliches here and there. But, Chimbudevan’s writing is perfect and Bagavathi Perumal of Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kanom fame is a scream throughout the film. Chimbudevan has a knack of naming his characters. When we had a gem of a name in IKMS called Kizhakkukattai (which was a tribute to Clint Eastwood), here we have Nassar who plays Hippy Lahiri, definitely not a tribute to Bappi Lahiri though.

The first story was quite enjoyable and interesting. The second story somehow loses steam and meanders a bit and third one is the weakest among them all. The director has provided a lot of cues in all three stories for us to explore and cherish. We would definitely not like to reveal all those subtle plot points which would be spoilers if we do. OKMK is Arulnidhi’s second best film in his fledgling career after Mounaguru. Bindhu Madhavi, Ashrita and others have done their job well. The composer Natarajan Sankaran needs a special mention for the lively background score.

It is so heartening to see Rashomon, Run Lola Run and Virumaandi in the end credits. Something that other filmmakers can learn from Chimbudevan. Haven’t seen any filmmaker compiling the list of films, which inspired their work, under filmography in the end credits except Vetrimaaran (Aadukalam). That’s on a truly positive note.

Overall, OKMK is a daring effort from Chimbudevan. Transforming a concept like Run Lola Run into a comedy onscreen is nothing but serious business. Though the film is not a laugh riot like Imsai Arasan, it is certainly worth watching.