Mani Ratnam's last box office success was more than seven years back. His last film Kadal was trashed by critics and fared poorly at the box office. And so did Raavanan which boasted some fine performances and had excellent hype, but did not mange to succeed at the box office. Now, Mani Ratnam badly needs a hit under his sleeve to shut the critics. Has he succeeded in his attempt with his new age romance story O Kadhal Kanmani?

Plot

Dulquer Salmaan is a game developer and Nithya Menen is an architect. Their ideologies meet at a wedding of their friend, played by VJ Ramya who makes her acting debut on screen. The couple engage in a friendship which gradually evolves and goes beyond that. Both of them don't believe in the institution of marriage and are highly ebullient with living together. Dulquer stays as a paying guest in Prakash Raj's home and makes the conservative Prakash Raj agree to allow Nithya Menen to stay with him in the same room. Will Dulquer and Nithya's relationship end up in marriage or will the romance fade away?

Plus

The performance of Dulquer and Nithya are the biggest positives in the film which brims with romance and energy. Both of them are charming and add strength to their roles.

AR Rahman's background score and PC Sreeram's collaboration with Mani Ratnam has made a remarkable impact on screen. 

The details of a middle class household and the signature images of Mani Ratnam like the sub-urban train, metropolitan bus resonate well.

Minus

The film's characters look artificial on screen with only the main leads and Prakash Raj doing justice. Leela Samson and VJ Ramya look miscast in the film. The slow paced first half might bore you to an extent.

Bottomline

O Kadhal Kanmani is a lyrical new age love story depicted with conviction and passion.

Verdict : A lyrical new-age love story with conviction

Stars : 2.5/5