Movies like Autograph and Thavamai Thavamirundhu made me watch Mayakannadi on the first day. First off it would be unfair to compare any director's previous movie(s) with the current one - unless there is a HUGE difference in the quality of the films. So I'm not going to compare Mayakannadi with Autograph or Thavamai Thavamirundhu.
Coming to the story of the movie - it is NOT a new story - guess lots of people have taken this route. The only key difference is in the earlier movies with similar story line, the hero/heroine will become wealthy over a single song. Here Cheran has taken the most pragmatic and realistic path and tried to emphasis on the importance of knowing ones real capacity/ability and do what he/she is good in doing. I cannot stop but think about a similar story being told by Durai in Mugavari (Ajith starrer). But all said & done, it’s the treatment that matters and Mayakannadi and Mugavari are poles apart in this aspect.
One key thing I felt after watching this movie is - the actor in Cheran has gone on an over-indulgent mode - which doesn't gel well. It’s extremely difficult to accept Cheran in the character of Kumar. But on the other side - director Cheran would have thought he needed a guy who doesn't have a major screen presence - so that he can showcase his story in a much better fashion - for had he chosen a "good-looking" hero for this movie the audience would have probably found it difficult to accept the ending. So from a director’s angle I guess it makes sense to have an actor like cheran in the lead role.
Since the over all movie's theme is about the "have-nots" yearning for a "haves" life and the pain they undergo to become rich - the first half of the movie is completely dedicated to showcase those yearnings. This to an extent makes it an over-kill and at times may test your patience - especially if you are used to the regular run-of-the-mill masalas.
It’s the second half that makes it a more captivating movie - as it sends out a strong message to the current generation. Especially there are few scenes that needs to be mentioned here -
- The scene where Kumar (Cheran) decides to go take an illegal job to save his mother
- The sequence where Maheswari (Navya) pleads with her father about her marriage and why she wanted him to provide a chance to Kumar.
- The last 5 minutes where the saloon owner (Radha Ravi) talks about the importance of hard working and why one shouldn't think of becoming a millionaire over night. Though it might sound preachy - it certainly makes sense.
Coming to performance of the actors in Mayakannadi - it just revolves around Kumar (Cheran) and Maheswari (Navya Nayar). Though all the other characters (like Beauty parlor owner Radha Ravi, Maheshwari's father, the drug dealer) have done their job neatly - the movie is a out-an-out Cheran/Navya's show. And there seems to be a terrific on-screen chemistry between Cheran and Navya.
Cheran (as I mentioned earlier) seems to have gone on an over indulgent mode. He some how doesn't fit into today's youngster role. Though I do agree that this character doesn’t need a good looking chap - it would have made a huge sense to put in a guy like Dhanush or Bharath in the lead role - it would have been an apt fit. Cheran as a director is too good - and guess he should start following the message that he gave in this movie - which is to excel in what you are good at - in Cheran's case is direction and certainly not grease paint.
Navya Nayar - what a terrific performance from this lady? She is awesome and just fits into the character of Maheswari like a T. You must watch this movie atleast to see Navya's performance. Any idea how the girls from Kerala put up some grand performance consistently?
Music is by Illayaraja. Songs are average and the maestro has shown his true color in the background score - which is superb.
On the whole, if you discount the dragging first half and if you can put up with Cheran's performance (especially first half), you might well consider that Mayakannadi is certainly not a bad movie. And yes, especially watch it for Navya's out-standing performance. At the box office I'm afraid that this may not be a huge success.
Mayakannadi is for folks who want to encourage good cinema - though it amounts to going through some over-indulgence from the film maker.
