An off-beat movie need not be a mushy melodrama stuff. It can be made entertaining and enthralling. A friend in need is a friend indeed. This is the premise on which Samuthirakani has built the whole movie. The narration is simple and straightforward. Lending a helping hand to the director is Sasikumar, who until now has no ‘image’ attached to him.

Though the theme of friendship has been dealt in various ways in Tamil cinema before, Nadodigal takes a closer look at it.

Nadodigal : Trailer | Gallery | Audio Launch | Team Talk | Interview with Director Sasikumar

The whole movie revolves around three characters – Karunakaran (Sasikumar), Pandi (Bharani) and Chandran (Vijay). The trio eats, sleeps and freaks together in Rajapalayam. They also have their own ambitions in life.

Karunakaran is in love with his uncle’s daughter Nallama (Ananya). He is madly in chase of a government job as his uncle had promised for their wedding on a condition that he obtains one. Pandi is desperate to go abroad to earn, while Chandran is committed to start a computer centre.

All goes well till the entry of Saravanan (Ranga), a childhood friend of Karunakaran. Son of a former MP, he is in love with one Prabha (Shanthini Devi), daughter of a bigwig in Namakkal. Shocked by Saravanan’s suicide attempt due to love failure, the trio promises to help him out and unite the lover couple. They set out to Namakkal where they get the help of their old friend 'Ganja' Karuppu.

The trio manages to help the couple get married and go settle down in a safer place. Caught between the two families, Chandran loses his leg, while Pandi goes hearing impaired. Karunankaran suffers a personal loss in the family. Soon they realise that the battle they fought had served no purpose as the couple had developed difference of
opinion and split within a week. Their sacrifice for their friend’s love meant nothing. What the trio did to teach the couple a lesson forms the climax.

It’s Sasikumar show all the way. The movie relies more on the story than the heroism. Sasikumar lives up to it with his subtle portrayal. Equally impressive are Bharani and Vijay. Ananya as a talkative rural belle is a treat to watch. Newcomer Abhinaya chips in with her best. The rest of the characters are almost new and they look refreshing on screen.

The essential joy of being together and helping friends in their crisis hour is etched out well by Samuthirakani in the first half. He however seems to have taken a longer route in the latter part while describing the difficulties the friends, who risk their lives for their peers, face. The rhythm and flow is hampered by needless narrations.

Due credits should be given to cinematographer Kathir. He captures the dry barren lands of Rajapalayam in a unique colour tone, while the adrenaline-pumping chase in Thiruchendur is in a different flavour. Sundar C Babu’s theme music is brisk while background score is loud.

Samuthirakani-Sasikumar duo deserves a pat for saying loudly that all hopes are still not lost in Tamil cinema. Hats off for their attempt, which should be an eye-opener for many aspiring filmmakers.