Review: Naduvala Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom

Debutante Balaji Dharaneedharan’s film, Naduvala Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, proves that script is the hero.

The wedding of Prem Kumar is just two days away. With nothing much to do he sets out to play a cricket game with his three friends. During the game, Prem is hit on the head and suffers memory loss. On consulting a doctor, the friends are told that Prem is free from any injury except for the memory loss, which is temporary and he would regain his memory soon. Not wanting to disrupt the wedding, the friends decide to hide the truth from Prem’s parents and lover. And, in this endeavour they set rolling a situational comedy.

Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role of Prem Kumar excels. The actor is on a roll following his earlier success with another Tamil film, Pizza. His expressions are just right. Complementing his performance are the other actors, all newcomers, playing his friends in the story. Bhagavathy Perumal as Bags and Rajkumar as Bajji leave a mark, while Vigneshwaran as Saras steals the show. Gayathri, the heroine seen briefly also puts in a good performance.

Dharaneedharan has fleshed out his characters convincingly. It is easy to connect with the dialogues often laced with humour.

S. Ved Shankar’s background score is good. Interestingly, this story is a page taken from cameraman C. Prem Kumar’s life, who underwent a temporary memory loss prior to his wedding. Thanks to his friends’ efforts, the wedding was not called off. Prem Kumar’s candid shots of Chennai impress.

NKPK’s story comes with a freshness hitherto not seen in the Tamil film industry. With its simple narrative and clean humour this film emerges a winner.