Engeyum Kadhal Tamil Movie Review

‘Engeyum Kadhal’ has a time-worn concept of romance with a beautiful visual treat’, but stumbles on writing.

While, Prabhu Deva made some romantic films in Telugu, he remained solitary with action-based films in Tamil film industry churning out ‘Pokkiri’ and ‘Villu’ with Vijay. The filmmaker chooses to make a different mark with ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ that happens to be a romantic entertainer. Produced by AGS Entertainments, whose previous film ‘Yuddham Sei’ was a good grosser in box office, the film is released by Sun Pictures all over the world. The film features Jeyam Ravi and Hansika Motwani in lead roles with Suman and Raju Sundaram on minor characters. Songs by Harris Jayaraj and colorful posters have been the most highlighting factors of promotional phase.

The film runs close on the lines of various love stories.

Prabhu Deva takes ‘SJ Suryah-Kushi’ pattern as his reference over introducing the lead characters of Engeyum Kadhal in Paris – Kamal (Jeyam Ravi), a handsome fun-loving businessman, works constantly for 11 months and a month of vigorous enjoyment. And then, we have Kayalvizhi (Hansika Motwani), a Tamil girl born and brought up in France, a cello player by profession living with her father (Suman), a detective by profession. While, their thoughts and perception of ‘Love’ vary up to the far extents,  you can easily predict what’s going to be the climax.

The storyline is so thin as wafer and so is screenplay. Since, the film involves not more than 4 characters, there isn’t more rooms for the unwanted commercial elements. Prabhu Deva completes the tale with just couple of hours, which is a major plus. But even then, with duration of 120minutes, there are so many sluggish moments that’ll turn audiences restless. The first half of the film is very slow and there aren’t any conflicts involved. Maybe, it’s because the story is taken from a girl’s perspective point. There are some interesting moments in the second half with which the present gen-audiences can closely link with. The ego clashes between them and jealousy that pops up maybe a time-worn concept, but again it assures of getting the audiences drawn in.

Hansika Motwani has to shed down some weight as she looks too fat. But, Prabhu Deva gives her a spotlighting look. Thanks to Nirav Shah (Cinematographer), costume designer and make-up artist. Jeyam Ravi lacks romantic feel in many portions. Suman has nothing to perform while Raju Sundaram’s comedy portions are so irritating. What bugs these brothers on ‘Farting’? A clumsy thought exhibited in all their movies.

Harris fails to makes a good impression in background score while the songs ‘Nangai’, ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ and ‘Dhimmu Dhimmu’ are fabulous. Prabhu Deva’s performance (though hyper-active) in title song is cute and lovable while the sequences in ‘Dhimmu Dhimmu’ are aped from ‘Main Kya Hoon’ song in ‘Love Aaj Kal’ with Saif Ali Khan venturing into a different world to forget his love, but is unable to… The sequences are replicated exactly. The locations and cinematography are the best highlights.

On the whole, ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ is technically brilliant and has some engrossing moments in narration, but it confines to the cliches during most of the times. Prabhu Deva has failed to come up with an engaging screenplay and that becomes the major minus for the film.  We’ll have to wait and watch for ‘Box Office’ status as the Kings – ‘Ko’ and ‘Vaanam’ are having its realms across all centres.

Cast & Crew:

Banner: Sun Pictures, AGS Entertainments

Production: Kalanidhi Maaran, Kalpathi S Agoram, Kalpathi S Ganesh, Kalpathi S Suresh

Direction: Prabhu Deva

Star-casts: Jeyam Ravi, Hansika Motwani, Suman and Raju Sundaram

Music: Harris Jayaraj

Cinematography: Nirav Shah

Verdict: Feel-Good Love Story, But Clichéd…