smadhumitha

One aspect of all Balachander films is the way he hits you with bis message..he does not convey the message..he hits you with them and hits you hard...but Azhakan is an exception.....He drives home the story in this film very subtly aided by great music and wonderful performances. Azhakan tells the story of a widowed father (Mamootty) and his 4 children and the twists in his life when 3 women fall for him while he falls for one of them. The movie is not a typical masala Tamil movie with women falling for the protagonist for his heroism. The reason behind each woman's desire is very rationally explained.

Mammooty gives a splendid performance and shows that a hero need not be a 20 something angry youngster wanting to take revenge or correct the society by taking on villains one on one. He is a loving father, a successful hotelier, a respectable citizen, an earnest lover and an understanding person. Geetha, Madhubala and Banupriya have played their roles excellently. Geetha as the Professor, Madhubala as the chirpy teenager are apt for their roles. Bhanupriya as the Dancer who is dedicated to her art gives a good performance with some great dance sequences. The song "Kozhi koovum" exploits her skill to the fullest. Each and every character has a touch of humour blended into it, while Suresh Chakkravarthy's character embodies humour.

The film is a good example for cinema that is not very serious but at the same time does not bore or irritate you with senseless twists and turns. The scenes where Mamootty interacts with his children are a delight to watch and hats off to the director for giving a great family story. A movie not to be missed if you are looking for a soft, simple and interesting movie with some good performances.

This movie is definitely one of the best movies made in Tamil. You can give anything for Kamal's performance as Sedhu and Ilayaraja's music. The story is beautifully told with some hilarious and touching side tracks as well - that of Chaplin Chellapa (Kamal again) and Sri Vidhya. Revathi proves her skill with her dancing and acting. The movie is a delight to watch an is not just another romantic flick.The romance on screen is poetry brought to screen..........

The songs are mesmerizing and each frame a treat to the eyes. The dance sequence of Kamal and Revathi just before the wonderful scene in which Kamal tells Revathi of his love are top-notch !! There may be different views on the ending. But I felt it was just very different and gave a touch of poignancy to the whole movie. Lastly, I'll bet anything that you simply cannot resist falling in love with Kamal after watching this movie. I did !!!

There are so many things that are good about this movie that you wont know which one to start with. First, the story or stories....Two stories with a link, good idea and a nouvelle one at its time.. The acting is wonderful and the characters are well etched. The contrast between the location of the first film ( a silent forest bungalow and a hut and a waterfall) with the second (Namma Chennai Kodambakkam with its noise and crammed houses) is very striking. The dialogues are sharply written and rightly delivered by the actors.

The ending is simple and gives you a sense of "Thats life" . The movie is a good example of how non-formula movies can be made interesting with a surprising cast and no commercial elements. K.B. has given a good, simple and smooth movie with a good message.