Director Sasi bases his mother sentiment heavy tale on a real life story. The film talks about heavy topics such as faith, religion and philosophy but balances it with the other mainstream commercial elements. The good news is, Pichaikkaran is watchable thanks to some highlight scenes which are peppered across the narrative. The comedy bits are well-done and bring about a lot of chuckles in the hall.
A really wealthy and sophisticated man gets into begging for a period of 48 days, for the sake of his very ill mother. He does this on faith, hoping that his mother would somehow recover. During the course of his days as a beggar, he befriends others who are in this line and also encounters the pretty girl whom he first sets his eyes on, through an arranged marriage prospect. There is no shortage of villains too, giving our 'Pichaikkaran' the chance to flex his muscles and indulge in heavy duty action.
Heroine Satna Titus is a gorgeous presence and she is another luscious import from Kerala. She emotes decently and manages her lip sync as well. Her romance scenes gel fairly with the plot, without sticking out.
Vijay Antony dishes out another safe bet, which is bound to work with the ladies and masses, thanks to the mother sentiment factor which is the driving force of the film. He is convincing in the stunts and has chosen another largely serious role which is in his comfort zone. Special mention to all the actors who have acted as the beggars and also to some of the gangsters who double up as the comedians
On the downside, the melodrama is high, and Vijay Antony's rerecording is a test of patience with the repeated usage of a couple of themes. The making standards are pretty ordinary due to the low budget involved. The songs aren't much to talk about either, with the opening 'Nooru Saamigal' song being a constant presence throughout the film.
As said earlier, there are quite a few standout scenes. The initial parts when Vijay Antony struggles to gel with his new setting, the way he is educated by other beggars on how to be convincing, his encounters with an Audi owner and a traffic constable, the scene when all the beggars go to eat in a marriage, the conversation between an RJ and a beggar on the state of economics, the pre-climax moments with Satna accompanying Vijay Antony on his begging sojourns and his climax transformation in the hospital, will all make it to any 'top scenes' show reel.
The ending is satisfying too, though it is implausible. Some thought provoking dialogues on the plight of beggars and the rich - poor divide make a solid mark. Pichaikkaran is the kind of film which you won't regret watching. Give it a shot !
A really wealthy and sophisticated man gets into begging for a period of 48 days, for the sake of his very ill mother. He does this on faith, hoping that his mother would somehow recover. During the course of his days as a beggar, he befriends others who are in this line and also encounters the pretty girl whom he first sets his eyes on, through an arranged marriage prospect. There is no shortage of villains too, giving our 'Pichaikkaran' the chance to flex his muscles and indulge in heavy duty action.
Heroine Satna Titus is a gorgeous presence and she is another luscious import from Kerala. She emotes decently and manages her lip sync as well. Her romance scenes gel fairly with the plot, without sticking out.
Vijay Antony dishes out another safe bet, which is bound to work with the ladies and masses, thanks to the mother sentiment factor which is the driving force of the film. He is convincing in the stunts and has chosen another largely serious role which is in his comfort zone. Special mention to all the actors who have acted as the beggars and also to some of the gangsters who double up as the comedians
On the downside, the melodrama is high, and Vijay Antony's rerecording is a test of patience with the repeated usage of a couple of themes. The making standards are pretty ordinary due to the low budget involved. The songs aren't much to talk about either, with the opening 'Nooru Saamigal' song being a constant presence throughout the film.
As said earlier, there are quite a few standout scenes. The initial parts when Vijay Antony struggles to gel with his new setting, the way he is educated by other beggars on how to be convincing, his encounters with an Audi owner and a traffic constable, the scene when all the beggars go to eat in a marriage, the conversation between an RJ and a beggar on the state of economics, the pre-climax moments with Satna accompanying Vijay Antony on his begging sojourns and his climax transformation in the hospital, will all make it to any 'top scenes' show reel.
The ending is satisfying too, though it is implausible. Some thought provoking dialogues on the plight of beggars and the rich - poor divide make a solid mark. Pichaikkaran is the kind of film which you won't regret watching. Give it a shot !
