Moviebuzz Baana Kaathadi

Movie Baana Kaathadi Director Badri Venkatesh Producer Sathyajyothi Films Music Yuvan Shankar Raja Cast Atharva, Prasanna, Samantha

In an industry driven by superstars, opening weekends and bumper collections, it’s that oddball film that seldom compromises on its intentions for the sake of becoming more box-office friendly.Badri Venkatesh's Baana Kaathadi is one of the better films to have emerged out of Kollywood this year. It has a realistic feel about it, but post interval moves at a snail pace and climax is a bit of dampener. Ramesh (Atharva) is a plus-two student who is a “nice boy” except that he is crazy about flying kites and is always in the company of friends including a much senior Kumar (Karnas). One day while trying to get hold of a flying kite, he bumps into Priya (Samantha) a rich upper middle class fashion design student. Don’t mistake, as it is not love at first sight for the two but soon like in umpteen other films they become “good friends” hang around till they drift apart due to a small misunderstanding. However, the lovers unite but fate intervenes in the climax. Full marks to the supporting cast of Mounika as hero’s mother and the local goonda with a heart of gold played by Prasanna who are impressive. Murali in a cameo is a rocker. Till interval, the film moves at brisk pace but soon the tempo becomes slow with hero going to Gujarat for Kites festival and songs including an item number which come as speed breakers. Atharva makes a promising debut and he dances and emotes well. His dialogue delivery reminds you of Silambarasan and he has to improve on his diction. Samantha looks cute, but has to brush up her dancing and is wooden in most of the important scenes. Karunas and his comedy including the one with his dad is a laugh riot. Richard M Nathan’s camera has captured the lower income flats with dingy corners in a realistic manner. Yuvan’s songs and BGM is good in parts, withThaakkuthe Kann… the best of the lot. The film works to a large extent, but could have been a bit racier, especially in the second half.