'Namma Veetu Pillai' Film Review: Siva shines in this engaging rural drama

However, Namma Veetu Pillai has its own emotions and takes us into the life of a do-gooder whose world is nothing but his sister.

Post the success of Karthi’s Kadaikutty Singam, it looks like, director Pandiraj was desperate to give us yet another family drama with the same flavour. However, Namma Veetu Pillai has its own emotions and takes us into the life of a do-gooder whose world is nothing but his sister. Sivakarthikeyan has teamed up with Pandiraj for the third time after Marina and Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga and their chemistry has definitely helped them convert this stereotypical storyline into an engaging one. The screenplay has been developed in such a manner to please both the star’s fans andfamily audience. Unlike the actor’s previous films, there is adequateemotion in the script.

The film begins with the introduction of Arun Mozhi Varman (Bharathiraja), an aged naturopathy doctor who treats people of his village. He has three sons and a daughter with contrasting characteristics. The director takes almost 15 minutes to introduce his family members to the audience and these scenes are structured very similar to Kadaikutty Singam. Within a few minutes, we get to see Arun Mozhi Varman’s grandson Arumpon (Sivakarthikeyan) and his lovable sister Thulasi (Aishwarya Rajesh) who want to live life to the fullest. Arumpon’s only dream is to marry off his sister to a handsome youngster who takes care of her well.

However, situation forces him to accept a marriage proposal from a local ruffian, Ayyanar (Natraj) with whom he is already not in good terms. While this forms for a decent first half, the second half is all about how Arumpon sacrifices his self-respect for his sister’swell being and how he helps Ayyanar when he gets trapped in a deadly situation.

Pandiraj also manages to incorporate a romantic track between Maangani (Anu Emmanuel) and Arumpon, keeping the audience engaged. The flashback portions featuring Chandrabose (Samuthirakani) and RK Suresh reveal secrets about Thulasi’s antecedents and give reasons for some of the incidents that happens in the first half.

Pandiraj has inarguably given us a good commercial entertainer with the right mix of action, emotions and love. Though too many characters disturb the flow of the film, the director makes sure that the screenplay is engaging. However, the only flaw is the resemblance to Kadaikutty Singam and the storyline has nothing new to offer. Sivakarthikeyan and Soori’s combinations scenes have worked big time and it is something to watch out for. Aishwarya Rajesh has given us yet another scintillating performance post Kanaa and she fits the bill of Thulasi, who is innocent and charming.

Imman’s background score has helped the audience to connect with some of the emotional sequences in the film. Especially, songs like Enga Anna and Un Koodavae add a lot of value to the script. Saving the best for the last – though Sivakarthikeyan’s last two films didn’t do well at the box office, the charm that he carries throughout the film, would help him big time to get back his lost fans. His performance in the climax will be a talking point for moviebuffs in future.Overall, Namma Veetu Pillai, is an engaging rural drama, that satisfies the family audience.