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Friday, September 20, 2024
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TAMIL VASUVUM SARAVANANUM ONNA PADICHAVANGA
EDITOR'S PICK
'Vasuvum
Saravananum Onna Padichavanga': Forget story, enjoy the jokes
Rating: ***
Friendship and booze are the two elements on which all Rajesh's films rest,
including his latest rib-tickling entertainer "Vasuvum Saravananum Onna
Padichavanga" (VSOP), which happens to be Arya's 25th film. But for some
reason the spotlight shines on Santhanam throughout the movie.
Although Rajesh clarified in several interviews that the film's title VSOP has
got nothing to do with the popular brandy label, yet the makers cashed in on it
and how!
The title is neatly engraved on the cap of a liquor bottle and the title track
has a line about the lead characters Vasu (Santhanam) and Saravana (Arya) being
popular for drinking in several liquor joints in the city. There's a scene where
Vishal, in a cameo, explains the major difference between men and women over
brandy and beer.
Rajesh can't be blamed for the kind of films he's been making, for that's what
is expected of him. When he tried to step out of his comfort zone, his attempt
in "All in All Azhagu Raja" failed miserably and he was quick to
realise it and bounce back strongly.
He plays to his strengths in VSOP; makes it funnier than all his previous
outings. The jokes work, the lines are fresh and the camaraderie between the
lead actors has been taken a notch higher.
Santhanam is Rajesh's trump card, and he can't imagine a film without him. They
make a great pair and each time they collaborate, we get something funny, even
if it is mostly the booze jokes and sexist one-liners.
Take the scene where Arya, after being rejected by Tamannaah, meets Santhanam at
a bar. Arya isn't upset as he believes he has rejected her. Santhanam serves him
beer, and three rounds down, Arya sobs like a child, coming to terms with his
rejection. Santhanam says, "The truth that's not coughed out when police
rough up young men, only comes out when booze goes in". And you can't stop
yourself from laughing out loud.
Like most of Rajesh's films, VSOP too doesn't have much of a story. It follows
the lives of two best friends -- Vasu and Saravana, who grew up studying and
drinking together. Their lives turn topsy-turvy when they welcome women and what
ensues is outright predictable and partly cringe-worthy.
The booze jokes are fine because the youngsters dig it. But the sexist jokes are
annoying and shows how cheap filmmakers' taste of comedy has become. At the same
time, Rajesh gives the women a chance to get back at men, and that's something
worthy of mention.
Vidyullekha, for instance, has scenes where she's made fun of due to her weight,
but there are moments where she gets to crack jokes at Santhanam and Arya.
Vidyullekha chips in with a terrific performance while Tamannaah needs to be
specially applauded for lip-syncing dialogues perfectly.
What really makes VSOP work, besides the jokes, is the lovely camaraderie
between Arya and Santhanam, who make every scene thoroughly entertaining.
Santhanam has teamed up with many heroes over the years but his on screen
charisma with Arya is unmatchable.
