VISITOR COLUMN

Story: Santhanam gets trapped in his relative’s house, who tries to take revenge for their family member’s death, by killing Santhanam, when he steps out of their house. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

VPA is remake of Telugu film “Maryada Ramana, which was actually inspired from 1923 Hollywood Movie “Our Hospitality”. Sunil, Telugu Comedy Actor played the lead role in Telugu version and it was a blockbuster. Movie was also remade in Bollywood as Son of Sardaar and succeeded at the Box Office commercially. Movie was also remade in Bengali & Kannada. Hence, Santhanam has decided to make debut as Solo Hero in Tamil Cinema for the First time with this movie, which had succeeded in various languages.

Santhanam – He looks stylish and has all the elements to do the lead roles. Santhanam's intro scene & song has as much build up as top heroes. His dance moves were also as good as leading heroes. He played one of the leading roles in “Arai En 305-il Kadavul” & “Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya”. It would have been better, if he has chosen full length comedy script (his fortress), instead of this one which has lots of sentimental and melodramatic climax to mark his debut as 'Solo Hero' in Tamil Cinema.

Ashna Zaveri – She makes her debut in Tamil Cinema with this movie and has acted well.

RajaKumaran – Solar Star ‘’Raj Kumar” was supposed to do what Powerstar did in “Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya”. First 45 minutes of the movie travels around the bicycle and discussion between Solar Star & Santhanam in the train. But, unfortunately, Rajakumaran scenes looked like watching Lollu Sabha and have not come out well.

Mirchi Senthil – His characterization is almost similar to American Groom of Tamil Cinema.

Cinematography by Shakthi & Richard M Nathan – 70% of the scenes happens inside the train and the house. They have made sure that audience doesn’t feel that the movie is taken inside the four walls.

Editing by Sai Kanth – Movie runs for 144 minutes. It could have been better if “Otra Devathai” Song had been removed from the movie.

Music Director Sidharth Vipin – He did cameo in his debut movie “Idharku Thaanae Aasaipattai Balakumara” & has done Rajakumaran’s friend role in this movie. Songs were quite average & BGM was quite good.

Director Srinath who has acted in various movies as Comedy Actor and has directed “Muthirai” makes a comeback to this movie, which has story written by Rajamouli. He has stuck 80% to the original version. First half of the movie has forced comedy dialogues & second half has forced sentimental scenes along with melodramatic climax.

Overall, VPA has good Santhanam one-liners and comedy, which works in parts.

Ratting of this movie by Common Man – 2.5 / 5

Rating of this movie for Santhanam fans – 3 / 5