Movie Reviews
Indiralogathil Naa. Azhagappan.

Feb 17, 2008, 16:04

Cast : Vadivelu, Suja, Theetha, Rari, Nazar, Shriya

Direction: Thambi Ramiah

Music: Sabesh Murali

Production: Manickam Narayanan

Very much on the same lines of Imsai Arasan, Vadivelu has belted out his second venture in the fantasy-comedy series. If Imsai Arasan worked, it was for its genuine, no-nonsense, spontaneous humor set in a unique milieu. Not to mention, the script was taut and extremely appealing. In the same breadth, Indiralogathil Na. Azhagappan has an engaging script, but what seems to be missing from this fantasy-comedy is the sparkling humor that made the earlier one click.

The movie would have worked but for the contrived and stale comic sequences that makes one wonder if, instead of coming up with a cohesive comic script, they just cobbled together an ensemble of comedy tracks.

Vadivelu’s intro, with a song, is definitely on par with the biggies in the film industry, reiterating the golden rule of an opening song for the protagonist. Vadivelu’s fans will be delighted to see him don the lead role on-screen once again. The actor has done a commendable job in all the three roles, as Azhagappan, Indiran and Yamadharman. Of the three, the Indiran role seems to suit him best.

The story is plain and simple. The three beauties of Indiralogam – Rambai, Oorvasi and Menaka – come down to earth on a visit. Enchanted by Vadivelu’s drama, Rambai is unable to return to her abode within the stipulated time. As a result, she is cursed and turned into a stone sculpture. Meanwhile, Vadivelu is advised by an astrologer to garland the sculpture. Promptly, he garlands her sculpture and Rambai returns to her original self. She also takes Azhagappan along with her to Indiralogam. 

His visit to Indiralogam empowers him to predict the past and future of the earthlings. Because of his newfound powers of prediction, the crime rate in the human world declines and there is little work to do in the Yamalogam. Confused, Yamadharman confers the responsibility of investigating this mysterious turn of events to Lord Naradar (enacted by Nasser), who reveals the true cause. Angered by this, Vadivelu is cursed and turns into a 90-year old man. 
  
 
 
Given the fact that Vadivelu’s huge chunk of fan population comprises of kids, the director could have avoided the top angles that conveniently feast on the bevy of beauties that encircle Vadivelu.  Though Shriya looks good in her small role, the idea of having her play the necromancer doesn’t quite create the desired impact. Vandanam Vanakkam song by Vadivelu and company is quite natural.

Thotta Tharani has done an admirable job with the sets, especially the Yamalogam.

J. N. Jawahar’s editing is adequate, while Sabesh-Murali’s music with its tinge of 23-aam Pulikesi, is very mediocre. Costumer R. Murugan deserves a special mention, but for Vadivelu’s 90-year old act that deserved a little more attention.

Indiralogathil might appeal to those who swear more by Vadivelu’s slapstick antics than his verbal wisecracks. Because there are hardly any verbal fireworks, and those few that are there, are submerged in the extravagance.