Movie Review : Mayavi

Producer: Bala
Director: Singampuli
Cast: Surya, Jyothika
Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Mayavi gives a relief from the run-of-the-mill stuff that we encounter everyday. Hats off to director Singapuli for his choice of subject. It is a commercial entertainer on a very unconventional subject and has been treated with flair and style. Though the film in some ways resembles Ram Gopla Varma’s Mast and another Malayalam flick, yet on Tamil screen this is a novel attempt.

The drama unfolds...

For the inquisitive mind thinking hard what could possibly be the story, well here it goes. This is a film on kidnapping and the pace just takes you over.  Abhesh Balaya (Surya) is a guide cum con man cum thief. He and his associate Sathyaraj (Sathyan) lead a carefree life.

To make some money Balaya and Sathyaraj go to a huge cottage on the beachfront. This house happens to be actress Jyothika’s. Learning about the real identity of the victim they were robbing, they decide to return back the stolen goods. While doing so she catches them and put them behind the bars. Jyothika can’t stand Balaya and leading to a confrontation between them, she gets him jailed once again. Balaya too frustrated with whatever is happening, kidnaps her for the sake of revenge.

Her parents and the whole industry start a hunt for her. There is doldrums everywhere. In the phase of stay with Balaya, she understands him. So the somewhat good flowing story leads to a shoddy and lengthy end.  

Director Singapuli as a comedy filmmaker takes off well.  Jokes and gags do tickle your funny bone but he is not as redeemable as Bala the producer of the film. Better handling and taut script would have though garlanded the movie.

Surya shoulders his role with aplomb. In his different con images, he just renders taut performance. He instills fun and entertainment to the film. His expressions are fluid and the composure of the acting is the highlight of the film. Jyothika plays her real self and this is the most complex thing to render onscreen. The role demands acting flair and she excels. Whatever she does it is with sheer comfort. She and Surya just rock the screen!Sathyan is perfect and gives you a stomachache with laughing spree.
 
Devi Sri Prasad’s music and Ratnavelu’s editing are awesome.

www.swasam.net.............................www.swasam.net...........................www.swasam.net