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Cast:
| Prasanna |
Kaniha |
Krishna |
| Sandhya |
Mangai |
Vijayan |
| Kartik |
Director: Susi Ganeshan |
 Some young promising talent, a story centered round youth and their aspirations, the
fulfillment of some, the disillusionment of others, stylised takings and a sincere attempt to give an entertainer sans vulgarity and double entendres, makes 'Five Star' a clean, fairly engaging family entertainer. The narration does lag a little at places, you feel the director is stalling for time, there are a couple of attempts to make compromises, like including an unwanted fight scene and a dream song. But in the final analysis, journalist-turned director Susi Ganeshan's apprenticeship with Maniratnam seems to have stood him in good stead. The director in his first release for his mentor's banner, reveals a lot of promise, and has tried to infuse the narration with freshness and interesting little touches.
 The story centres round five youth - three guys and two girls - thick buddies in college, who are determined to keep their friendship going throughout their lives. In the beginning all the five go to work in the same firm. But the first to break away is Elango. Forcibly married to his rustic cousin Eashwari by his adamant father, even while in college, Elango does the vanishing act soon after getting his job. Six years pass and Prabhu, one of the gang, meets a girl in a train and falls for her charm. Only to realise later that she is Eashwari who is still hopefully waiting for her husband to return. Eashwari now becomes a part of the gang, and of Prabhu trying to trace out Elango (a chance to shoot abroad), and the gang's shocking discovery forms the rest of the story.
Giving the director a supporting hand is the music director duo of Parsuram-Radha with their fusion of western and classical Indian tunes; and the eye-catching visuals of Ravi Varman, the rustic ambience getting a new look under his camera.
 Kaniha (a Ms. Chennai runner up) plays creditably the role of the docile village belle who soon learns to assert herself after her husband's disappearance, and later comes to terms with her fate. Debutants Prasanna, the vivacious Sandhya and Mangai (Sandhya is a former Ms. Chennai), and the good looking Kartik are at ease before the camera. Unfortunately their characters are not given much individuality, but perform more as a group, and hence don't get much of a chance to test their histrionics. Standing out is Krishna as Elango, who bears his emotions like an
experienced player, getting varied scenes to establish his credentials as an actor to watch out for.
Malini Mannath
published on 11th Oct 2002
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