Cinema: Bus ride to love

By Vijhayen Nambiaar

THIS is another movie from Sasikumar propagating the meaning of friendship. A director of high stature, Sasikumar has taken a back seat here, content to act in and produce Sundarapandian. His assistant, S.R. Prabhakaran, helms this project. The friendship theme was also explored in two other movies Sasikumar acted in, Subramanipuram and Nadodigal.

In fact, Sasikumar became popular when his first film Subramanipuram, which he directed, became a massive hit in 2008.

In this movie, Sundarapandian (Sasikumar) is the only son of a rich landowner whose only job seems to be helping his friends get the girls they fancy. While trying to help a friend hook up with college girl Archana (Lakshmi Menon), Sundarapandian finds himself falling for her. But Archana has already been promised by her father to another man, so Sundarapandian has to find a solution. Little does he know that his life is in danger as a result of his love for the girl .

Most of the first half of the movie takes place in a bus. The heroine travels on this bus daily and the boys get on and off it, trying to woo the girls they fancy. Instead of a boring bus ride, these trips are full of humour which keeps the
audience entertained.

The second half continues with the jokes but gets more serious following a death. The tension builds up to an unexpected climax.

Laskhmi Menon, from Kerala, who is also appearing in an upcoming movie called Kumki, is perfect in her village belle role. Soori, who has appeared as the best friend to the hero in a number of movies (including Paagan, playing now with Srikanth in the lead), is funny and has the potential to become a good comedian. Appukutty, who became famous for his outstanding rustic role in the unusual Alagarsamiy in Kuthirai and is also the hero in a new film Mannaru, plays the villain. Several other new faces, like Vijay Sethupathi and Pirabhakaran, also have solid roles.

The songs are composed by N.R. Raghunanthan, who worked for Thenmerku Paruvakaatru, which won three national awards last year. The song, Nenjukkulle, sung by Saindhavi, is good.
Sundarapandian delivers what you would expect from a Sasikumar movie — plenty of humour with a message. Sundarapandian gives new meaning to the word “friendship”. The dialogue is a winner.

NOW SHOWING
SUNDARAPANDIAN (Tamil)
Directed by S.R. Prabhakaran
Starring Sasikumar, Lakshmi Menon, Soori, Appukutty, Vijay Sethupathi, Pirabhakaran, Thennavan, Nareyn

Sasikumar and Lakshmi Menon in Sundarapandian

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Cinema: Bus ride to love

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