Vanakkam Chennai is an Indian Tamil comedy film written and directed by debutant Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi.
Produced by her husband Udhayanidhi Stalin under the banner Red Giant Movies, the film features Mirchi Shiva and Priya Anand in the lead roles.
It received ‘U’ certificate from Central Board of Film Certification.
Movie: Vanakkam Chennai
Directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi
Produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin
Star Cast: Mirchi Shiva as Ajay, Priya Anand as Anjali, Santhanam as Narayanan/Billa, Rahul Ravindran as Deepak, Nassar as colonel Balasubramaniam, Urvashi, Manobala, Pandi, Aarthi, Nizhalgal Ravi, Rajkumar, Swaminathan, Misha Ghoshal, Udhayanidhi Stalin
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematography: Richard M. Nathan
Editing: T. S. Suresh
Studio: Red Giant Movies
Consider one thing before if you watch Vanakkam Chennai. In the name of urban romantic comedies, we often see many movies on the queue. Few prove to be made exactly on the written theory and other still strive to achieve the excellence. How to categorize ‘Vanakkam Chennai’? It’s all about thin line of difference. Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi in an interview had said she nearly took four years to complete this script. With this reference, you might feel odd what’s there to strive so much with this kind of film, which could have been written over a cup of coffee.
The life in Chennai is new to Ajay (Mirchi Shiva), a wayward guy from Theni, who wants to make a big time here. Then there is beautiful Anjali (Priya Anand), an aspiring photographer from London, who has escaped from her dad in passion of her work. New place and new characters – they find themselves in a critical situation when they see each other in same house. Reason – Narayana (Santhanam) has cheated them by giving the house on different agreements. As they try to banish each other from the house, situations get them in love with each other. Meanwhile, Anjali’s fiancé arrives from London and this turns out to be a hurdle for Ajay. Will they get united or not? It’s simple as you know what happens in a rom-com movie.
There is nothing special to mention about the performance of Shiva. He is always the same as in his previous movies. He has to put forth some additional efforts in nurturing his acting skills. Priya Anand, the gorgeous girl keeps you lidless all throughout her portions. Her performance as a trendy girl is worthy of appreciations. She can honestly thank her make-up man and costume designer. Santhanam as usual keeps up his witty lines and he keeps you engaged in the complete second half. The film has an interesting star-cast that includes Nasser, Oorvasi and many others that serves as an additional ingredient to keep the script engrossing. Anirudh needs special mention for being a pillar to the entire film. Almost all the songs in the film stand out as the best numbers and Richard M Nathan has handled the cinematography with more elegance. In the scenes, where the writing falls down, it’s the background score by Anirudh and Richard’s camera that diminishes the negative elements.
On the whole, Vankkam Chennai a middling show and if you have no other option, It’s interesting in places, but looks little stereotypical in few parts.
Verdict: Average. Excellent in technical aspects.
With his last few films not doing good, Shiva was hoping for Vanakkam Chennai to turn the tide. Thanks to Kiruthika Udhayanidhi, wife of producer Udhayanidhi Stalin, who makes her directorial debut with Vanakkam Chennai, Shiva seems to have managed it.
The movie produced by Red Giant Movies speaks about romance in a different angle. Shiva plays an innocent youth who is love-lorn, while Priya Anand does give her best. Sanathanam’s comical interludes are the movie’s highlight.
The highlight of the movie are Richard M Nathan’s camera work and Anirudh’s background score. Editor Suresh with his good work sets the pace.
The movie is about Ajay (Shiva) and Anjali (Priya Anand), who come to Chennai. Situation forced to stay in the same apartment. Anjali and Ajay are always at loggerheads. There is one Narayanan (Santhanam). What happens when Ajay starts loving Anjali with the help of Narayanan.
Kiruthika has done her best. Her maiden directorial ventureis good and With humor as the base, she does it well.
Shiva pulls it off well and so is Santhanam. Their one-liners are good.
Priya Anand is entertaining. Oorvashi, Nizhalgal Ravi and Nasser play cameos.
Vanakkam Chennai is entertainer and a fun-ride.