'A1' Film Review: Despite flaws, A1 manages to engage the audience

However, after getting into the role of a protagonist, the actor became ambitious and tried to follow a template that’s usually preferred by top heroes in the industry.

Now, it looks like, the actor is back on track with his recent flick, A1: Accused No 1, as it reminds us of comedian Santhanam, whom the audience had admired for years.

The film begins with the character establishment of the heroine’s father Yatin Karyekar, who is portrayed as a very honest government official. Within a few minutes, we are introduced to Divya (Tara Alisha Berry), a software professional who desperately wants to marry a goon, who hails from a particular caste. However, she falls in love with a north Madras guy, Saravanan (Santhanam) , thinking that the latter belongs to her community. Later, when Divya knows about his antecedent, she understands that Saravanan is not her type and breaks up with him. While Saravanan manages to convince her, trouble begins, when Divya’s father opposes their wedding.

While the first half offers nothing new to audience, the second half is where the real story begins. Upset with his girlfriend’s decision to stay away from him, Saravanan jokingly plots to murder her father who opposes their relationship. The script gets even more interesting, when Saravanan’s friends execute his plan even without his knowledge. From romantic genre, the story shifts to a comic caper where the hero and his friends try to escape from the murder case. Will Saravanan prove his innocence or get convicted for the murder that he has not committed?

A1 is a film that’s solely made on a motive to entertain the audience. Though the making of first few scenes, including the introduction scene, are quite amateurish, the director makes us realise that it was done for a reason and the story demands it. Santhanam’s on-screen chemistry with MS Baskar and Lollu Sabha Manohar is amazing and they have done exceptionally well. However, the romantic sequences in the film are a bit repetitive and have logical loopholes. Tara Alisha Berry’s character has no scope for performance and has a very less screen time in the film. Motta Rajendran and Saikumar’s performances are something to watch out for.

Another big plus is the duration and the background score. Santhosh Narayanan’s music has elevated this normal script to another level. Save the best for the last — Santhanam’s one-liners and counters are refreshing and it helps the audience to sit throughout without any complaints. Though the film has its own flaws, it manages to engage the audience in parts.