Autograph

I watched this show recently a decade later at its time of release

Autograph spotlights on the romantic escapades of a boy growing into a man. The story is told by the protagonist using the flashback method as he is on a trip down the memory lane inviting people whom he has come across in is life for his wedding. Be ready to plunge yourself in nostalgia even if u did not grew up in the time period shown in the movie. The events shown in the movie happens in every other person;s life regardless of the any time period. The presentation is refreshingly different for Tamil cinema and never done before on such a scale .

The film started off with a slow village scenario and gets interesting in the middle in the Cheran_Gopika episode. The other amazing aspect of the film is the debut performance of The Malayalee actress Gopika. Shecarries out her role with extreme ease like a seasoned actress it is hard not to get mesmerized by her natural beauty and natural performance.

The locales of Kerala, a treat for the eyes. The 'Hippi' hairstyles, 'Bell Bottom' Pants and 'Big Flap Collared' shirts should have been omitted and some unnecessary out of place commercial songs.

The background score is well done and addictive. This is Cheran's best film to date Overall a refreshing movie to watch with the family

This movie won the (Indian National) Golden Lotus Award for "Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment".

The movie is mostly told in long flashbacks. Senthil, the protagonist, is getting married soon. The movie follows Senthil as he revisits his past, as goes on a trip to the villages, towns, and cities he's lived in, and as he recalls and visits his past loves and crushes.

The film is notable for bypassing the usual Tamil movie clichés and formulaic story lines, while still being very commercially successful. The movie has a lot of quite charming moments, especially in the first half. I appreciated the slow pace of the movie, except when it occasionally became too slow.

The movie unfortunately eventually succumbs to considerable melodrama. I wish they had attempted a "life is beautiful", cutting out the melodrama entirely. In summary, I think the movie is good and unusual as Tamil movies go, but I would not call it a classic.

Autograph (2004), directed by and starring Cheran, is a heartfelt masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of love, friendship, and nostalgia. A gem of Tamil cinema, the film takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, recounting pivotal chapters of a man's life through a series of flashbacks, each resonating with universal emotions.

The narrative unfolds as Senthil (Cheran) travels across India to invite people from his past to his wedding. What starts as a simple journey soon evolves into a deeply reflective exploration of his school days, first love, heartbreak, and the friendships that shaped his life. Each phase is distinct, yet seamlessly woven together, making the story feel deeply personal yet universally relatable.

The film excels in its authenticity. Cheran's subtle direction and natural performance lend an understated charm to the narrative. The cast, including Gopika, Sneha, and Mallika, deliver moving performances, bringing Senthil's relationships to life. Bharadwaj's soul-stirring music, especially songs like "Ovvoru Pookalume" and "Manasukkulle Dhagam Vanthucha," elevate the emotions, making every scene linger in the heart long after the credits roll.

It's surprising that Autograph has so few reviews despite its timeless impact. Two decades later, it still captivates, evoking vivid memories of high school crushes, bittersweet first loves, and the irreplaceable friendships of youth. The film's ability to transport viewers back to their own cherished moments is a testament to its enduring brilliance.

With the help of a superb cast Cheran (Senthil) looks back over his teenage and youth. With its various puppy loves and real loves, and the humor and pathos that they bring, this gaze is bittersweet. In these desensitized days, this is an achievement. Mallika is a natural actress, though I am sure she will be relegated to sister roles because in the venerable Indian movie tradition she would not be considered flashy enough to be a lead--though the Tamil film industry has resisted this trend somewhat successfully. In any case, it may not be a bad thing in the end for Mallika to play supporting roles, for the female leads in Indian films have rarely to do any real acting. Mallika's character in the movie is well conceived and true to real life. Gopika is also good and she carries off the character's transformation through the movie well. Kanika as the bride at her wedding reception is super. Very expressive face. (I cannot say anything about anyone's dialog delivery because most actors in Tamil films nowadays dub their lines in post production or have them dubbed by others who make a living out of this profession. Which is why sometimes, Jyothika and Nmaitha (and any number of others) sound alike.) But why the 9?: Though Sneha is passably good and her lines are very well written, it is the character I have a quarrel with. So aggressively self-righteously idealistic and so insufferable: I guess we are still reeling in the backlash from the portrayals of meek women in Indian cinema of the earlier decades.

Autograph was a rare movie in that it is artsy but not boring like the other art films. It can be enjoyed by both commercial movie lovers and parallel cinema lovers. I truly enjoyed this movie. I can say that I loved the second part and the 4 th (last) part of the movie. 1st part and 3rd parts were OK. 3rd part was a little overdone. But yes, definitely worth watching. The music was very pleasant to hear. The song picturizations were definitely a plus.

Special mention about Gopika. She has a fresh face and acted pretty well considering that she is a new comer. The director and the lead guy Cheran also wins my appreciation.

Congrats with this movie and expecting more of such movies from him..

P.S - Kerala is depicted so beautifully. I must appreciate the camera work.