Padikkathavan – Review

Once again Sun Pictures has proved its stronghold over Tamil film industry by releasing a below average film with extraordinary publicity resulting in a big opening. But after the initial 5 days, the film has turned out to be a poor fighter and all that remains are the empty seats in City theaters.

The pre-release publicity of the film had stated that it was a comedy oriented movie, but actually the film is an amateurish action film by Dhanush. There is nothing new in the story or even in the screenplay of Suraj.

Rocky (Dhanush) from a well educated family headed by Prathap Pothan, has not cleared the 10th standard. Rocky's main job is to visit a mechanic shop where some of his idiotic friends wait for him to give ideas. But this 'Padikkatha' Rocky is the only saviour of the entire family when they are in trouble!

One day, Rocky strikes a challenges with his father that he would get a degree at any cost without going to a college or university! Immediately his 'clever' friends give him an idea, that if he falls in love with a highly educated girl, then his problem will be solved. A novel way to solve illiteracy!!

So he earnestly hovers around women's colleges and soon falls in love with Gayathri (Tamanna) a rich girl who after a few misunderstandings and duets falls for him as well.

Meanwhile there are some dons after her, as her father is Samarasimha Reddy (Suman), a powerful don in Andhra. Rocky saves her from her dad's rival (Shayaji Shinde) and escorts her home to Hyderabad with the help of comic don Vivek. Upon reaching there, he realizes that another Tirunelveli rowdy Kasi Anandan (Atul Kulkarni) has put a prize on his head! The remaining portions reveal how our hero overcomes all the hurdles and unites with his lover.

The director has narrated the story in an illogical way with most of the scenes irritating the viewers. Vivek's comedy portions are crude, idiotic and boring. Especially the scene where Vivek is dressed as a woman in a temple pond is pathetic! It is the right time for Vivek to change his track otherwise his career would be in trouble.

Dhanush has scored well in the first half, but has lost it all in the second half with illogical action scenes and unwanted punch dialogues. His climax fight is crap and we do not understand why Dhanush has so much faith in such irritating techniques in every film.

There is no onscreen chemistry between Tamanna and Dhanush and in a few scenes Tamanna's face reactions are crude and ugly.

Big actors like Shayaji Shinde, Suman and Atul Kulkarni and Prathap Pothan are wasted in small roles. In most of the scenes, the villains and their paid goons are walking with AK47 or a pistol openly (even in places like City Center and Mount Road!)

The songs by Mani Sharma are peppy numbers which will appeal to the masses. Particularly the last kuthu number 'Appa Amma vilayattu...' is good to hear.

It is high time that Sun Pictures thinks twice before buying a film like Padikkathavan. Ultimately the real judges are the viewers who will never allow such a trend for a long time in the industry!

Verdict: Below Average
Cast: Dhanush, Tamanna, Suman, Shayaji Shinde, Atul Kulkarni, Vivek
Music: Mani Sharma
Direction: Suraj
Producers: Vijaya Combines and Sun Pictures.