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'Pasakilikal' A Damp Squib

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

'Pasakilikal' had a Unique Selling Point (USP): script by the redoubtable former chief minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi. Mr. Karunanidhi wields a legendary storyteller, whose script in 'Parasakthi' catapulted 'actors actor' Sivaji Ganesan to the pinnacle of fame.

With such awesome reputation, one could be excused if one looked forward to a scintillating script in Pasakilikal too. Alas, it is a damper this time around. Karunanidhi's pen seems to have lost its razor sharpness. 'Pasakilikal' is a damp squib.

Such

scripts, which would have electrified the film fans in the early sixties, are a passé these days. That then is the basic infirmity of 'Pasakilikal'. You add to it indifferent acting. What you get is unappetizing fare that leaves you cold. Perhaps, a Rajnikant or Kamal Haasan could have saved Pasakilikal what with their superstar halo. But neither Prabhu nor Murali have any pretensions to being a superstar. No wonder, 'Pasakilikal' has proved to be fizzless coke.

The tearjerker is set against the backdrop of a village beset by age-old customs and hide-bound rituals.

The pivot of the film is Marathagam (Navya) who is adored by her affectionate brothers Sethupathy (Prabhu) and Sevathaya (Murali).

Trouble brews when the only sister falls in love with the son (Vineeth) of the family foe Bhoopathy (Nasser).

Bhoopathy is abetted by his scheming brother-in-law (Kalabhavan Mani) who has cast a covetous eye on Marathagam. The evil brain manages to deepen the enmity between the two families to realise his goal.

Of course, in the end, good vanquishes evil. That is what the remainder of 'Pasakilikal' is about.

Director Amritham has nothing new to offer by way of storytelling. The narration is as insipid as the script is weak.

Composer Vidyasagar has done his best to lift things above mediocrity with some good numbers. 'Thankai Endre Pasakili' stands out.

As for the cast, the less said, the better. Both Prabhu and Murali look totally uninterested in the proceedings.

Navya Nair yet again acquits herself well in the pivotal role. For a change, she has oozed a bit of oomph, too in a bathing scene! Of course, Navya is totally in command in the emotional scenes.

The comedy act by Vadivelu who plays the loyal servant is nothing to write home about. Nassar and Kalabhavan Mani try to outgrow the script, but to no avail.

'Pasakilikal' also bears a remarkable thematic similarity to that Malayalam emotional drama titled 'Kaliyoonjal' featuring megastar Mammootty and Shalini.

If you like to shed tears, watch it!

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