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Ayya
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'Ayya' An emotion-packed family drama

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

Ayya is Sarath Kumar's film all the way. Undoubtedly, the movie is the finest feather in his acting cap. Sarath rises to great histrionic heights as the father and the son in an emotion-packed family drama, which is running to packed houses.

Ayyadurai (Sarath Kumar) is held in high esteem by the people. The MLA is goodness personified. He treats all alike. The innate goodness of Ayyadurai permeates his family too. His wife Kalyani (Lakshmi) and only son Chelladurai (Sarath Kumar) form an integral part of Ayyadurai's world of bliss.

The

story unfolds in a rural milieu. Madaswamy (Napolean) is Ayyadurai's bosom pal. They form a peach of a pair. Not surprisingly, Madaswamy's daughter Selvi (Nayanthara) falls in love with Ayyadurai's son. The marriage is fixed.

But then Ayyadurai's world turns topsy-turvy. The peace and harmony is rudely shattered by the machinations of the villain, Karuppuswamy (Prakash Raj), who has a score to settle with Ayyadurai. Unwittingly, Ayyadurai had caused the death of Karuppuswamy's father, a corrupt MLA, who indulged in smuggling of rice, when famine stalked the village.

Karuppuswamy is beside himself with grief and anger after his father's death. His single-minded mission now is elimination of Ayyadurai and winning the election to become an MLA. And he goes about the task in a ruthless fashion.

The opportunity for revenge presents itself with the fixation of the marriage between Chelladurai and Selvi. Karuppuswamy manages to stop the marriage by playing the caste factor and poisoning the mind of Madaswamy. Consequently, close friends, Ayyadurai and Madaswamy, become estranged.

But the villain's diabolical plans run into resistance from Ayyadurai's son, who is a chip of the old block: a good samaritan who has endeared himself to the villagers with his acts of kindness and chivalry.

The remainder of the movie unfolds the strategy of the father and son which restores peace. Even the villain turns a new life, animated by the nobility of Ayyadurai's character! All is well that ends well.

Of course, Ayyadurai reminds you of the life and times of veteran Congress leader late Kamaraj, who emerged as a kingmaker in national politics in the sixties.

Though it is a double role for Sarath Kumar, it is as the father the actor excels. He lives the role illuminating the character of Ayyadurai with a verve and panache, seldom witnessed in recent Tamil movies. At times Sarath's acting acquires shades of that great thespian, the late Sivaji Ganesan. The director has succeeded in getting a once-in-a-lifetime performance from Sarath.

The supporting cast comprising Napolean, Lakshmi and Prakash Raj, rise to the occasion, too. Nippy Nayanthara looks lovely and acquits herself well as Sarath's love interest. Mark it – Nayanthara is a star in the making.

Full marks to cameraman Priyan, who has captured the mood of the story with his eloquent camera. There are excellent shots and vignettes of rural life. The bucolic charm of Ambasamudram comes alive through Priyan's camera. A pastoral poem on celluloid, indeed.

Another plus point of Ayya is Bharadwaj’s music. All the songs are good. But special mention must be made of Oru Vaartha Solla, which tops the popularity chart at the moment.

Verdict: Delectable fare.

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