3

(Dhanush)

Powerful emotive acting and good comic timing that is bound to produce tears of laughter and sorrow. (Review by Viresh Prahalath)

Known for its pre-released viral hit single Why this Kolaveri Di which has received more than 50 million YouTube views to date and continues to dominate the airwaves of Indian radio stations globally, the movie 3 is one of the most anticipated South Indian films to hit the big screen in South Africa.

Adding to the buzz is the fact that, Dhanush, the artist who performed the song plays the leading man in the flick. The movie is directed by his wife Aishwariya Danush, the daughter of one of the highest paid actors on the Asian continent, Rajinikanth. With such a star studded line-up, it is no wonder that the picture became a box-office hit after its release in India.

This romantic drama which borders on thriller status is split into two distinct halves. The first half is a “cute” high school love story that has a good dose of humour. The movie flows beautifully and poetically as Ram (Dhanush), becomes smitten with Janani (Shruti Hasaan) and pursues her with childish zest. Much comedy is derived from the fact that he literally follows her at every turn as well as from the constant whining of his friend Kumaran (Sivakarthikeyan) who becomes a useful “third wheel” during Ram’s wooing exploits.

The relationship develops and leads to them ignoring the reprimands of her strict parents, who believe that students should be study-focused. They continue their sweet and intoxicating young romance in secret. It is in the second half that the emotional tone of the movie is completely changed from one of love and euphoria to bloodcurdling fear and melancholy.

We see Ram’s downward descent into an extreme form of bi-polar disorder which he hides from Janani. While the physical violence in the movie isn’t intolerably macabre, it is the bizarre illusions that Ram experiences and the constant threat of the darkness within him exploding onto those around him that sends chills down the viewer’s spine and this is capitalised on during the entire second half.

The superhuman patience, love and support that Ram receives from his best friend Senthil during this process is touching and is a noteworthy performance by supporting actor Sunder Ramu.

The film is humbly shot on the streets of Chennai and on simple living-room sets which work well to stir up a real, fresh romance between two high school students in India. The costume choice throughout the movie follows suit in its simplicity with little eye-popping attire meant to turn heads. The main focus is on the characters that have been beautifully portrayed by the very talented cast.

Being a first-time rookie director, Aishwariya Danush can almost be excused for the long drawn-out nature of the plot at times and for the lack of resolution at the end. This movie should be viewed first and foremost for its powerful emotive acting and good comic timing that is bound to produce tears of laughter and sorrow.

3 can be seen at Ster-Kinekor Gateway. Bookings through sterkinekor.com or sterkinekor.mobi, or call Ticketline at 082 16789. (Viresh Prahalath)