The premise is set very interestingly, and the friendship between Thiru and Shobana is just perfect. They’re literally #FriendshipGoals, in the first half of the film. The movie will genuinely make you yearn for such a friendship. Apart from this relationship, the Grandfather-Grandson relationship between the two Thiruchitrambalams is way too adorable. These two relationships are the life-jacket of the film in the first half.
Every film needs a conflict, and this film’s challenge is the strained father-son relationship. The trailer makes us feel like the entire film revolves around that, but unfortunately, it is what most of us could predict out of the trailer. Friendships and relationships take a turn and the movie proceeds . Even as the conflict is solved mid-way, the movie proceeds aimlessly seeking its end. It confuses us whether this movie is about finding a job or finding true love.
The movie’s 3 Heroine idea was fascinating at the beginning. Little did we know that Raashi Khanna and Priya Bhavani Shankar are nothing more than cameos . Both are Thiru’s ‘Love interests’. There’s also a cliché as Raashi’s character Anusha is a modern girl, and Priya’s Ranjini is traditional.
We steer through the first half, even though it is slow, with hopes that the film will catch fire as it goes. One-liner comedy and funny instances help us swim through the slow screenplay. Even as we wonder where the film is taking us, the humour and comic situations make us want to wait patiently and see for ourselves. Nithya Menen and Bharathirajaa have tickled our funny bones which makes this movie a pleasant watch. The relatable scenarios in a relatable neighborhood is the winning point of this film.
The conflict between the father and son is eventually resolved as the second-half begins. So we wonder what else is left in the film. But, that is when the movie takes a turn and focus falls slowly on Thiru and Shobana. Now, it is unecessary to spell out in words how the movie would have ended. Yes, what you thought was right. The story is not new, and has been seen across movies like Oh My Kadavule and Poovellam Un Vaasam. So, at the end, the movie leaves its audience confused with no storyline, and just a series of long and important conversations.
Nithya Menen is the soul of the film. As she dives deep into Shobana, we wonder how else the actor could outdo herself. Her easy and comfortable acting with Dhanush makes us believe that the two have been friends forever. Dhanush has tried a completely new character in the film. Instead of his usual ‘Hero’ roles, Dhanush has tried a not-so Heroic character in this film. What’s even better? It is pretty acceptable that he is just a common man and not a superhero! His performance makes us want him to continue being Thiru for a longer time.
Bharathirajaa and Prakash Raj are the other two commerndable performers in the film. Bharathirajaa has become the ‘Chella Thatha’ we all want. He, one hundred percent reminds us of a thatha we all have/had, or yearn to have. Prakash Raj has been doing stiff dad roles for two films now; Viruman and Thiruchitrambalam. But, in this movie, Prakash Raj’s role is a little different and his character arc has a nice twist to it. Guilt and closure are important subjects that the characters in this film deal with.
The film’s title ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ does not have a unique reason or meaning. It is just a character, a name that we relate to as a common man. The name is uncommon, and therefore, it will always remind us of Dhanush and this story. Interestingly, the people who love Thiruchitrambalam (Dhanush) in the film call him ‘Thiru’, while those who are not too close to him, call him ‘Pazham’.
Just because there was just one action scene in the movie, the director decided to cut to songs, whenever the movie drags. No doubt, the songs are ones that have become viral even before the movie’s release. But, they’re inserted in crucial segments in the movie, where we await the next lead. So, it becomes frustrating at times. ‘Megham Karukadha’ is an exception as Dhanush and Nithya’s dance will make us sway to the beat too.
