Deiva Thirumagal: Movie Review

For the first time, a loosely based remake of a Hollywood movie “I am Sam” has been made better than it’s original. I had seen “I am Sam” 5 or 6 years ago and loved it. Sean Penn’s best performance until Milk, Michelle Pfeiffer and Dakota Fanning had ably supported him in this emotional courtroom drama. The movie was remade in Hindi in 2005 titled “Main Aisa Hi Hoon” starring Ajay Devgan. The movie was average and was a complete remake unlike Deiva Thirumagal.

Director Vijay whose previous film Madrasapattinam was a super hit has nailed this one as well. Unlike “I am Sam” where the core content is based on a Custody case between the mother and father for their child, Vijay has given a new touch to this film. Vikram’s best performance till date, Yes this was a better acting performance than Sethu and Pithamagan. I won’t be surprised if he wins his second National Award for this film. The performance was so brilliant that you tend to forget that it is Vikram on screen and not his character Krishna.

Krishna (Vikram) is a mentally retarded person working in a chocolate factory near a small town Avalanchi in Ooty. His wife Bhanu gives birth to a daughter named Nila (Baby Sarah) and dies during child birth. Vikram brings Nila up until she is 5 years old. Shweta (Amala Paul of Myna fame) is the Correspondent of Nila’s school and takes a liking for her. She eventually finds out that Nila is none other than her sister Bhanu’s daughter. Shweta’s father who is a big shot in the pretext of taking care of both Krishna and Nila take them to Chennai and abandons Vikram on the road and whilst off with Nila. How Vikram manages to find Nila along with the help of lawyer Anu (Anushka) forms the rest of the story. Superb cameo performances by Y.G Mahendran as Anushka’s Father, Vikram’s four mentally deranged friends, Anushka’s lawyer friend, owner of the chocolate factory, father of Amala Paul and Nazar as the defence lawyer.

It’s Vikram all the way, blows you away with his performance, even Sean Penn would agree with me. I thought I wouldn't mention this but Baby Sarah made Dakota Fanning look like an amateur with her performance. Hats off to the Director to get so much of performance and content from such a young artist. She probably is the find of the century. It is just unbelievable that this is her first film. Anushka has forayed into a different league with her performance to follow-up her superb performance in her previous film Vaanam. Nazar eased through his role like a veteran that he is. For a subject which has such a heavy dose of emotional content, the directed peppered the movie throughout with meaningful light hearted moments with Santhanam in the lead. Santhanam as Anushka’s assistant waltz through this heavy dose film with his effortless comedy.

It’s officially time to upgrade Music Director G.V Prakash Kumar to a Tier 1 Music Director in Tamil Film Industry to join along with Yuvan Shankar Raja and Harris Jeyraj. “Vizhigalil Oru Vaanavil” crooned by G.V’s wife Saindhavi is the best of the lot, probably one of the best melody in recent years. Cinematographer Nirav Shah forays his skill meticulously in this song. The song is a visual treat, Anushka just dazzles in the visuals. Vikram has sung two songs himself and has nailed it as well. Na Muthukumar’s lyrics are just top notch stuff.

My only complaint was that the movie is a tad long and could have been shortened by 15 minutes or so to my liking, especially in the first half and maybe could have dropped off a song as well. Otherwise it is the best ever remake movie I have ever seen. Vikram, Director Vijay and Baby Sarah need a standing ovation. A soulfully rendered movie which has to be seen on big screen.

My Ratings ****