Direction: S P Hosimin
Movies made around Madurai always glorified violence. Sickles and totting of guns are not new in such films. ‘Aayiram Vilakku’ is no exception. It speaks about gang rivalry in the temple town and a don’s yearning and craving for love and care.
Shanthnoo Bhagyaraj, who did a few soft romantic films, takes to action in ‘Aayiram Vilakku’. Thankfully, he has Sathyaraj shouldering the burden. The film is more of action meeting emotions. Directed by Hosimin, it is neither here nor there ending on a somber note.
Lingam (Sathyaraj) is a don in Madurai. His name spells fear among people though none had seen him. The stories they hear about him send shivers. His rival Rathinam (Suman) wants to bump him off and waits for an opportunity.
Enters Gopal (Shanthnoo), who works in a mill in the same town. A poor boy he is honest and caring. He comes across Megha (Sana Khan) and its romance between them. Lingam decides to reform in life and chooses to adopt Gopal after impressed by his honesty.
Fearing that Gopal will hate him, Lingam hides his identity and gets acquainted to Gopal as a poor old man Kannaiyiram. They develop a good rapport but fate takes a turn in the form of Rathinam. Gopal is targeted and his love life faces a hurdle. The movie ends with a twist when Lingam is forced to take the gun for Gopal.
Shanthnoo plays bubbly youngster. He dances well and impresses in stunts too. At places, he imitates his father. Sathyaraj adds value to the script. He shoulders the major responsibility as the whole story revolves around him. Sana Khan is a typical heroine of Tamil cinema appearing here and there but has no major scope.
Ganja Karuppu and Theeppeti Ganesan try to tickle the funny bone while Suman plays a baddie speaking from his belly.
Kannan cranks the camera while Sasikumar handles editing. Madurai has been captured well. But a sense of deja vu prevails at many places. Srikanth Deva’s music is average. Director Hosimin has tried to mix action with emotion, and is successful to a certain extent.
