OK Kanmani - Mani Rathnam Limps Back to Form

Cast : Dulquer Salman, Nithya Menon, Prakashraj, Leela Samson
Music : A.R.Rahman
Direction : Manirathnam
Cinematography : P.C.Sreeram

Expectations:

Manirathnam is back after the Kadal fiasco,with this romantic entertainer, which was touted to be a modernized, updated version of the maker's another romantic blockbuster Alaipayuthey,especially after the promos were very much reminiscent of the latter. Combine that with the dependable A.R.Rahman - P.C.Sreeram combo , and you are sure to expect a feel good entertainer. Does the movie meet the expectations? It's a partial yes.

Plot :
Aadhi (Dulquer) is a game developer, without faith in the system called marriage, and has a lot of liking for girls.
He gets to meet Tara(Nithya),who again hates marriages, especially after the end of her parents' relationship. They like each other instantly, and the decide to start a life together- without marriage. Aadhi stays with Ganapathy-Bhavani family,as a paying guest, and though Ganapathy initially doesn't approve of the pair living
together, he later accepts.The pair's fondness on each other grows rapidly, but they both have other plans- Aadhi wants to make big money, and Tara wants to travel to Paris for her education. Though they develop "love" for each other, their disbelief in marriage keeps them apart. However the way Ganapathi loves and cares for his wife Bhavani, an Alzheimer patient brings a positive change in the pair. Whether they entered wedlock or parted ways is what OK Kanmani is all about.


Performances and Technical Departments:

Dulquer is full of energy, and is expressive. His voice reminds us of Arvindswamy, and after OK Kanmani, he will become the heartthrob of TN girls as well. With right movie choices in tamil,he can establish himself as a talented actor here as well. Nithya Menon is her usual bubbly self, and is full of expressions. Her chemistry with Dulquer
post the Ahmedabad episode in the first half just adds fun to the proceedings. However the pretty actress has to take care of her appearance, as she may run out of offers soon if she loses focus on that. The best roles of the movie are given to Prakashraj and Leela Samson. As the couple full of real love on each other, they impress.
For Prakashraj the role is a cakewalk, and he leaves a mark. Kaniha is wasted in a "blink and you miss" role.

AR Rahman impresses with "Naane varugiren","Parandhu Sella Vaa" and "Mental Maadhil".The romantic BGM is apt, and is in perfect sync with the mood of the movie. P.C.Sreeram captures Mumbai in an aesthetic manner. Special credits to the VFX team which worked on the Mumbai 2.0 game, which Aadhi develops in the movie.

Direction :

Manirathnam returns with a complete romantic movie after Alaipayuthey, and this time around he deals with Living together.The first half is slow, and takes its own sweet time in establishing the characters, their traits, with very few good moments. However the chemistry between the lead pair and the Ganapathy-Bhavani pair's characterization keeps the viewer engaged. The second half gets better, but ends with a tedious 10 day phase and a subsequent search sequence which drags, testing your patience. Manirathnam's take on modern youth and their disbelief in mariage,and the living together culture, will definitely find takers in a minor section of the audience(urban youth),besides the die-hard fans of the maker.As the maker himself has mentioned, the movie could cater to only a section of the audience, and probably that was why the number of screens was limited. All said, OK Kanmani is a treat for die-hard fans of Manirathnam, a movie made specially for youth,and could satisfy only them.

What Works:
Prakashraj-Leela,Handsome Dulquer,Expressive Bubbly Nithya, ARR. Few fun, romantic moments.


What doesn't:
A leisurely paced first half, the drag in the build up towards the climax.

VERDICT: 
A dragged Ohhhhhhhk Kanmani !! A Can watch for the Chemistry between the lead pair, and the elder pair which provides an  emotional connect.

6/10