Aghagiya Thamizh Magan (ATM) is a typical Vijay movie but with a difference - This time he's not up against the city's top 10 rowdies and bashing up twenty goons at once. That's a welcome relief for people who are tired of the 'dada' themes that have been haunting Tamil film heroes for quite a while now.
With ATM, Vijay tries a new theme but sticks to his standard formulae. It’s interesting that he has even tried out something new in terms of material. That deserves some applause, but in his dilemma to whether go for hardcore seriousness or provide a standard fare aimed at his fans in his usual style, he has gone in for the latter.
He's an MBA student (sounds very un-vijay, rite! When was the last time u saw him as a post grad academic?) who has ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) and suffers from bouts of visions of the future. The events happen with certainty and the story is built around what happens when he sees a deadly vision that he can’t come to terms with...
The fact that the movie does not try to treat this subject with the seriousness it warrants, is obvious from the very first reel. The hero is glorified with the customary introductory song & fight sequence, the narration is fast but lacks grip… the setting is perfect for the average masala movie.
If you felt let down at this point, there’s nothing in the movie that can redeem that feeling for you! The songs and the pleasing picturization are a real plus to the first half, which moves real fast! The director has so many things to cram here that the romance between Vijay and Shriya takes a distant back seat. When Shriya proposes to him after they have been on screen for barely 5 mins, you can’t help wondering that this is after all a Vijay movie and the heroines are meant to just swoon at the hero and worship his feet!
Santhanam and Co provide comic relief, with the sharp one liners and Vijay’s comic timing replacing a separate comedy track. If you didn’t know the story completely, there’s some suspense too in the first half, as you anticipate something ominous even while the mood is merry!
The second half is all downhill in terms of any grip that the screenplay had on the viewer in the first half. It is nevertheless not boring, as the ‘surprise package’ double action Vijay adds a lighter vein to the proceedings, coupled with the songs. Logic holes abound here, and a serious take on the topic would have helped the movie’s prospects a lot! Rahman’s songs are not the path-breaking variety but more of the Remix and Beats kind. It’s staggering to think that even an average composition by Rahman (in terms of his high standards) is way better to hear than most of the other hit songs in the industry! They’re good for easy listening and the picturization adds tremendous value to the songs! Vijay and Shreya’s dancing skills are highlighted by each and every song and that itself is a treat for fans of the hero and heroine! The best is the Remix of the old song ‘Pon Magal Vandhaal’.
On the whole, this movie can be watched once if you want a light hearted movie with good songs and packaging. Beyond the festive Diwali mood, if you look for something more serious and engaging, this is not the right fare!
It's sad that the makers think that these kind of movies are ATMs... I think the real cash machines are the masala fares that have a strong grip on narration, like 'Gilli'!
But I would welcome this movie anytime over the typical ‘Aadhi’ or a ‘Sivakasi’ kind of Vijay film!
2.5 Stars on my scale!
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