ITHARKKU THAANE AASAI PATTAI BALAKUMARA ("WELCOME SUMAR MOONJI KUMAR")

October 2, 2013.

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Aswin Kakumanu, Nandita, Swathi, Soori, Pasupathy.

Director: Gokul.

Film after film the trust that we have on Vijay Sethupathy keeps increasing and that continues with this film as well.

Sumar moonji Kumar (Vijay) a happy go lucky jobless fellow has only one mission in his life; to marry Kumudha (Nandita), almost everyone in his street is irritated by him. Bala (Aswin) is almost the opposite to Kumar, an frustrated guy who is dissatisfied with his career and love life. Renu (Swathi) is Bala’s love interest.

IABK plays out in three tracks till the interval; Sumar moonji Kumar’s life, Bala’s life and the murder of a local goon; after which the everything gets connected. Of these three the track involving Sumar moonji Kumar is undoubtedly the best one mainly because of the excellent performance by Vijay Sethupathy that is well complemented by the very good writing and direction.

It is a clearly a comeback for Gokul after the Rowthiram fiasco and he has made full use of the star value of Vijay Sethupathy with a script that seldom loses momentum. The track involving Aswin and the murder seems a bit stretched with a few unnecessary scenes as well as characters but something that works in favour of the film is that when the screenplay switches to Sumar moonji Kumar the audience completely forgets the other two because of the laugh riot at offer.

The script clearly shows Gokul’s intention to make this a laugh riot as is clear from the really funny dialogues mouthed by the characters even in serious situations. But perhaps the choice of Aswin is a bit debatable as he seems to struggle a bit at being natural in a lotta scenes which dulls certain parts though Swathi tries her best to lighten up the same.

The songs are passable with one or two being nice and the background score does not harm the film’s proceedings as such. There are a lot of scenes in the night especially in the 2^nd half and the cinematographer shows his class with excellent lighting and angles.

Pasupathy who comes as the mediator to bring a solution to Sumar moonji Kumar’s menace really entertains and the scenes involving him and Vijay Sethupathy are cracking with humor. Equally good is the character that takes Vijay Sethupathy and his friend to a godown offering liquor.

Ultimately IABK belongs to Vijay Sethupathy who simply excels as the irritating yet adorable Sumar moonji Kumar. This is definitely his best role after Pizza or may be even a better one considering the ease with which he plays the character that is someone so different from his real self.

I am giving a generous 3.25 for IABK. Except for a few scenes this one sets the screen on fire. Brand Vijay Sethupathy is growing!!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.