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Parijatham
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'Parijatham' - A Captivating Romantic Tale

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

Veteran Tamil director Bhagyaraj was, as his name denotes, the King of Luck in his heydays. The director with the Midas Touch turned out hits with astonishing regularity. Among them was a super-duper film called ‘Mundanai Mudicchu’, which introduced Malayalam actress Urvashi.

Several years later, Bhagyaraj has staged a spectacular comeback with a film called ‘Parijatham’. It is a standout film in many respects. It is devoid of the typical ingredients that go into the making of a run of the mill Tamil film. No violence, no larger than life hero, nor even double entendres which used to be Bhagyaraj's hallmark in his fledgling days.

The

outcome is a captivating romantic tale enhanced by brilliant performances by its protagonists. Incidentally, ‘Parijatham’ also marks the debut of Bhagyaraj's daughter Saranya. And what a dream debut it is. There is no mistaking it : Saranya has enormous talent and potential. If she can do so well in her maiden appearance, she can work wonders in the days to come. No wonder, the family audience is lapping it up with obvious relish.

Bhagyaraj has also written the story and screenplay of ‘Parijatham’. It is smart work on the part of the veteran director who has obviously taken extra care to ensure that his daughter makes her debut on the silver screen with a splash.

Sita (Sita) is on the lookout for a bride for her son Surendar (Prithviraj). Sita finds herself attracted to the domestic help Sumathy (Saranya) she has hired to manage a palatial bungalow she and her businessman husband Santosh (Prakashraj) have purchased.

With her winning ways, Sumathy gains the affection of Sita, who has decided that Sumathy is the bride for her son. But fate plays a cruel joke. Sita dies in a freak accident and the secret dies with her.

The distraught son, Surender is determined to marry the bride of his mother's wish. And in this mission, he seeks the help of (who else?) Sumathy.

Sumathy, however, shies away from revealing the truth. But Surender's friend Sampoornam (Bhagyaraj) lets the cat out of the bag in the climax scene!

If Saranya takes the cake in the acting department, Prithviraj as Surender is not far behind. Prithvi puts a lot of passion into his acting and excels in the comic interludes with superb sense of timing. Prakash Raj, Sita and Bhagyaraj do their jobs creditably.

Newcomer Dharan's music also lifts the film to a new level. The film boasts of two three peppy and melodious numbers which are on the way to becoming chart-busters. "Unnai Kandaene…" and "Oru Nodi Iru Nodi…" are the picks of the lot.

All in all, ‘Parijatham’ makes you feel good. Like the flower, ‘Parijatham’, the film, also leaves behind its lingering fragrance. Well done, Bhagyaraj!

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