Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi (U rating)

Who said Imsai Arasan is a big budget film? Let me make this clear. When Shankar is producing a film, he’ll make it sure for good returns in the least possible budget. Of course, the risk he takes in sponsoring some films of its own kind is worth adjusting the other facts.

Well, there is no need of a story-telling spoiler here. The story is a simile of the story of “Uthamapputhiran”. (Please note its not a metaphor). And even the first song reminds the legendary tune “Yaaradi nee mogini”. If it is a nonsense king there, it is a stupid king here. But both their brothers are courageous, romantic heroes.

The story is not an important factor when you have vadivelu as the lead actor, that too when he is doing a dual role. The starting ten minutes shows the villain, the hero(es) and the heroine. Separated by birth due to the “Bad MAMA”, the twins grow in different environments. The one kept in the palace is grown as a stupid coward, and the other as a “MAAVEERAN”. Just when the interval bell is about to ring, the brothers some how sense it and they swap each other’s place. Changes are made in the government, the stupid king turn to be a sensible man and after the climax fight, manorama, the mother speaks her usual speech in her usual tone and even the “Bad MAMA” becomes “chanda mama”.

Vadivelu has given one of his best performances. He fits into the pulikesi’s role just after two minutes the film starts. Whatever he does, the kids just love him. Even when he hugs the items in his anthapuram, kids laugh. Heroines are just appendixes to the film and when Tejashri enters the screen, the film gets an appendicitis. Manorama, nagesh, Venniradai moorthy , all have acted to what was paid to them. One of a few Tamil movies where you can take your kids to a movie and not waste time in spilling coins around the floor (Thaavani kanavugal).

The theme music is majestic, but it is sad that vadivelu cannot do even a single movement to match that majesty. Even when the brave brother rides the horse, it evokes only comedy and the bravery is missing completely in his face. The director should be given an award just for the novelties that he has used throughout the movie. For instance, in the door of the palace, there are Old no, New no written and even the future no.

The story revolves around very few characters and hence the director has planned to include all his cartoons and caricatures for his screenplay. You’ll also find sachin as sachidhanandham, pepsi as ghabsi, coca-cola as “Akka-mala”. Almost all of them are enjoyable, but the fact is it is not worth to wait in a queue to buy tickets or to reserve it online. Try to get the original DVD, hang a “I’M BUSY” board at the door, sit with two or three of your friends, fast forward all the songs and the two hours will be a memorable experience.