Star

Expected to see a fun, coming-of-age drama related to the struggles of an aspiring actor, ended up seeing more of a sentimental journey with its share of ups and downs (~unfortunately more downs than ups). Both the love stories in the film, while neatly performed, had problems in the writing. The "acting" struggles barely scratch the surface, and the screenplay rushes through these parts to focus on the protagonist's personal, physical, and mental hardships. While the writing feels somewhat derivative, the production design and locations carry a lived-in feel.

Lal puts in a worthwhile performance as the protagonist's father, even when his dialect seems to be a persistent bother. Kavin gets to showcase more of his acting chops here and proves he's ready to be moulded in the hands of Tamil cinema's capable filmmakers. The leading ladies (Preity Mukhundan and Aditi Pohankar) have good screen presence, and I'd love to see them featured more (in better scripts, i.e.). Aside from Kavin, the real star of the film is Yuvan. The songs and the score blend seamlessly with the visuals.