| Cast: |
Shakthi, SAndhya, Saranya, Santhanam and others |
Music: |
Vidyasagar |
| Cinematographer: |
K Gunasekaran |
Direction: |
P.V. Ravi |
| Produced by: |
Kool Productions |
Mahesh, Saranya Matrum Palar tries to tell you a story of a pure love in the backdrop of a joint family and a marriage.
Predictably, the Mahesh and Saranya mentioned in the title are the lead pair. Equally predictably, the movie revolves a lot around their love story.
The film opens with Mahesh's (Shakthi) sister Keerthana (Saranya Mohan) and her dance recital at the temple in Kumbakonam. Soon she gets a marriage proposal, which is liked by everyone in the family. But Keerthana is not ready to give her nod before her brother says yes to the proposal. So Mahesh, who is studying in Chennai, comes to Kumbakonam.
Mahesh too likes the bridegroom and hence the marriage arrangements are made. The marriage of the sister of the bridegroom too is fixed and the two marriages are planned to be held on the same day.
Meanwhile, Mahesh narrates his love story with Saranya (Sandhya) to the family members in installments.
The turning point comes on the day of the marriage, when Mahesh is requested by the family of in-laws to marry the sister of the bridegroom, who is ditched by her bridegroom on the day of marriage. Mahesh refuses to oblige despite the two families' request to do so. The marriage of his sister gets cancelled and everyone thinks that Mahesh has chosen to be selfish for the sake of his marriage.
The puzzle over Mahesh's reluctance to accept the girl or to argue his case is revealed in the climax, which is quite shocking.
The director can be applauded for presenting a feel good movie without the mandatory peppy song, unwarranted glamour, obscene or loud comedy, and violence. He has also extracted some good performances. He has also effectively executed some well conceived scenes. But the problem with the movie is that it moves very slowly and there is nothing to make you identify with the proceedings. It would be an understatement if you ay the movie is dragging. In fact the movie struggles to move forward.
Moreover, he could have avoided some of the conversations between Mahesh and Saranya, which remind you of 'Kushi'. Sandhya too does a Jyothika act that makes us feel bored. The comic interludes with Santhanam and a few tuneful songs (by Vidyasagar) are the only saving factors of this dull fare.
Shakthi has come out with a lovable performance in a role that demands enthusiasm and calmness simultaneously. Sandhya looks cute but goes overboard in emoting. The resemblance of Jyothika doesn't add any value to her performance. Saranya Mohan, on the other hand, impresses with her solid performance.
K Gunasekaran's camera work is just about okay while a couple of songs by Vidyasagar are tuneful.
Director Ravi has succeeded in making a feel good movie but he should have made it more engrossing. Mahesh Saranya Matrum Palar impresses in parts but fails as a whole as it ceases to keep the audiences' interest towards the movie intact.