Ivanuku Thanila Gandam directed by SN Shakthivel marks the debut of popular TV anchor Deepak as the lead hero. It is said to be a film where Mottai Rajendran of Naan Kadavul fame has the most screen time than any of his previous films. His comic sense and timing coupled with his hilarious dialogue delivery has entertained audiences in many films such as Raja Rani, Thirudan Police to name a few. Has he hit the bull's eye this time too?

Plot

The film is about Deepak who plays a television host. The story captures the ordeals of Deepak and his failures in life including his girl friend in an entertaining manner. Senrayan and Kumaravel play Deepak's friends who help him with their blunt ideas which always land Deepak in ceaseless troubles. What happens when Deepak is pushed into a corner where his girl friend's life is at risk because of a silly mistake committed by him when he was drunk? Deepak's attempts to save his girl friend, Neha Ratnakaran, is explained in a comic way by Shakthivel.

Plus

Naan Kadavul Rajendran is the go-to performer who steers the film through its boring, testing times. Pandiraj and Manobala's cameo appearances throw a smile on the face of audiences. Senrayan of Moodar Koodam fame has offered another stellar performance and so has veteran comedian MS Bhaskar. The last 45-minute is a roller-coaster ride with Rajendran's absolutely enjoyable jokes and punch-lines.

Minus

The lack of better writing is apparent throughout the first half, which is shot like a sumptuous snoozefest with pointless subplots and awfully incoherent editing. The first half is totally detached from the story until the pre-interval point where the director manages to conjure up a sudden, inquisitive twist that's makes the interval wait worthwhile. The screenplay lacks elegance and innovation and suffers from banalities. 

Bottom-line

Ivanuku Thanila Gandam is a pedestrian entertainer that thrives on Mottai Rajendran's inimitable screen presence and dialogue delivery

Verdict : A half-hearted roller-coaster ride, but comes at a worrying price

Stars : 2.5/5