The Baap of Style and Uber cool romance returns! Many and I mean many had written off the great Mani Ratnam after two flops (namely Kadhal and Ravan), thus making his latest movie OK Kanmani all the more significant. Mani Ratnam being the celebrated filmmaker that he is, decided to answer in the way only he can. By returning with a film that throws cliché out of the window and delivering a crackling romance. Casting Dulquer Salman and Nithya Menon is another masterstroke. Both of them add the required gravitas to the film enlivening it up in the process. And then we have the man of all seasons Prakash Raj and the luminously beautiful Leela Samson playing the older couple.
The contrast shown in the ideologies of the free spirited young couple and the very much in love older couple is the film’s USP and without being preachy or sermonic at any point, Mani Ratnam drives the point home.
The story is about Adi and Tara, who meet by chance and fall head over heels in love. Both are ambitious, commitment phobic and define the new age romance perfectly. Adi moves in to Ganpathy’s (Prakash Raj) house as a paying guest and in turn embraces Bhavani, his Alzheimer stricken wife. How then does Ganpathy’s devotion for his wife change Adi’s outlook towards marriage and commitment is the core of the film.
One of my favourite scenes is when music plays the deciding factor in ganpathy agreeing to let Tara stay as a live in partner to Adi. That brings me inevitably to the music of the film. And where do I start. That I am in awe of Rahman would be an understatement. I am taken aback by the man’s consistent attempt to treat every film on a different level and give it a unique soundscape is what makes him legendary. The music is the soul of the film and the fine blend of EDM and Carnatic is eargasmic. The legendary PC Sreeram returns to Mani Ratnam’s gang after that unforgettable classic ‘Alai Payuthey’ and soaks every frame in lilting colors.
Nithya Menon is an old favourite. And apart from her dishy looks and fresh screen presence, the lady owns the role and makes us believe in tara. Dulquer Salman as ‘I care a damn’ Adi is a revelation. As a yuppie who dreams at 90 km/hr he is a class act.
But but but……above all this is a Mani Ratnam film and the man hits the bull’s eye. I am a fan and I desperately wanted a film that leaves me walking out of the theatre with a smile. This one though sent me dancing out. Thank You Mani Ratnam…..!!!!!!
Rating-4.5/5
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