Review

We all have watched 3 Idiots, all knew its story and its happenings, then why watch Nanban, most probably one can watch it for the fun-filled performances. The Gemini-Film-Circuit productions, directed by Shankar, with a multi-cast lead (other film Vettai being another multi-cast released simultaneously). Vijay as Panchaven Parivendan\Pappu\Kosaki Pasapughaz fits at easy to the role, wonder from where they took those tongue-twisting names.  Jeeva as Sevalkodi Senthil and Srikanth as Venkatramakrishnan as other idiots who are looking for a break in the Bollywood will capitalise on Nanban to take them ashore, all flop-shows after Ko to Jeeva and Srikanath, virtually went unnoticed in 2011 only with Saduramgam.

Even for those who haven’t watched 3 Idiots, the theme of “All is Well” and “… let your children to choose as their wish” is covered in most of the post-3 Idiots films, but since it’s a feel-good theme, even the three hour long Nanban is watchable.  There is isn’t any Shankar treatment given anywhere, but the entire movie is given a youthful look (you have to do it because 30+ aged stars are in college) and this way of handling can be done only by someone like Shankar, starting from promos like posters and hoardings.

Open Questions:

Something that intrigues me is why this kind of script (no fights, no punch dialogues, and no camera-talks) cannot be made by the lead Tamil filmmakers, when you have abundant talent in Kollywood to take on the world.  You stick to the 3-Idiots line, because you knew it was a huge-hit and you can just copy-cat it. Shankar after your larger than life movies (read as repeated stories) why you should take-up this script, is it because the original was a world-wide hit.  Please continue with you big-set-movies and how can you let to mock your own movies, like here in Nanban at one scene, Illeana refers it’s not Shankar’ film to have big-setting song! And the clap boards displaying “Foreign Song”, “Modern Song” and “King Song” are you mocking at yourself? Shankar was not needed for this film, Remake “Jayam” Raja would have done bit more.

Vijay, after churning mindless masala flicks now you turn-up as a good kid who does what the director wants to do, is it because you want to stay-put in the top! I won’t be amazed to see Vijay flying in the air and giving punch dialogues in the upcoming films.

The powerful armour in a Shankar film is the score, which was missing in Nanban.  I think he should have gone without the songs to reduce the length of the film. Some of the costumes and the shot angles are same as the original and I think even the technicians were given instructions to follow the original. Nanban as a Tamil flick will be a box office success and will go down well with the audiences.




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