Movie Review: Anbil Avan
Surya ( Ashok Selvan) and Iyal (Preity Mukundhan) leave their high paying jobs in Chennai, to fulfil Iyal's dream. They buy a house in Ooty, where they plan to set up a home stay house-a longstanding wish of Iyal's, which Surya decides to gift her.
The home however,comes after much struggle as the owner Rani Padmini ( Revathi) refuses to sell initially. However, managing to convince her, after winding up everything and taking loans, the duo arrive in Ooty, with great hope.
But nothing prepares them for what follows. From corrupt cops to ruthless and greedy politico and their henchmen, the couple land in great trouble, which at one point endangers their very lives and the house.
What happens to the dream of Iyal and Surya? Do they give up to the powerful rogues, or fight to keep what they have given up everything for?
The film begins as a romance but slowly turns into thriller mode. The first half works well thanks to the great on screen chemistry between the leads, Ashok Selvan and Preity. The natural touches, like the small things they do for each other in daily life, the deep committment and caring they have for each other, set the ground for what comes later, namely, standing for each other against all odds. The well conceptualised and shot songs to Govind Vasanta's lilting tracks, adds to the romantic vibes in the film.
The interval block which gives a sudden jolt to the viewer, works very well in setting the change of track to thriller territory. The scenes on the road where the goons attack the duo with menace in their eyes, is superbly captured, adding to the sense of helplessness of the couple.
It gives the viewer a birds eye view of what's ahead for the duo who are alone in a new world, among the hills, far away from any sort of help in a crisis.
Ashok and Preity are fab in their realistic portrayal of the jodi. The scenes where they fight and the outburst of Ashok in a lengthy dialogue, is a highlight of the film, which many a couple will be able to relate to. Ashok performs splendidly in a very raw and natural act.
The duo have some solid stunt scenes together near the climax, which turns into a home invasion at one point. From guns to knives and home equipment, the actors use everything to combat the enemies. The perfect synch of the leads comes across in the scenes, with some hi-octane stunts by Peter Hein. Ashok Selvan turns into action hero and does a convincing job of it.
The build up of menace by villains, Maha Delhi Ganesh as the cop and Kathir Balu as the MLA is quite chilling and adds to the suspense and tension in the film. Sabumon as the smoooth talking, threatening lawyer is superb as well.
The climax portions, are gripping and quite chilling, giving a sense of doom as the leads seem to be losing on all fronts. How they rise up to the challenge and why, is well brought out in the rivetting climax.
The fantastic visuals of Gautham Rajendran, capturing Ooty in breathtaking glory, and beauty of the songs, are a highlight of the film. The camera,captures the sense of how alone they couple are, against a formidable enemy in a new place.
On the flip side, the way leads have been written as a tad impulsive, not fully understanding the seriousness of their position, without any support in their favour for miles around, in a remote area, with strong and manipulative enemies jars after a while.
Overall, Anbil Avan is a romantic thriller, well worth a watch, with superb visuals and songs, a nice romantic track, thrilling action mode and a neat message to follow your dreams. A compelling entertainer.
Rating 3/5
Anbil Avan Cast and Crew
Actors
Ashok Selvan – Surya
Preethi Mukundan – Iyal
Kathir Balu – MLA Rajanayakam
Maha Delhi Ganesh – Inspector Tavasi
Sabumon Abdusamad – Lawyer Martin
Revathi – Queen Padmini
Technical Team:
Direction: R. Karthikeyan
Production: K. Karunamoorthy, Ashok Selvan, Abhinaya Selvam
Production Company: Ayngaran International and Happy High Pictures
Music: Govind Vasantha
Cinematography: Gautham Rajendran
Film Editing: Selva R.K.
Action Scenes: Peter Hein
Story: Vignesh Raja
Screenplay: Vignesh Raja, R. Karthikeyan, Ashok Selvan
Art Direction: Manikandan Srinivasan
Costume Design: Pinita Ramanathan
Sound Design: Vijay Ratnam
Choreography: Leelavathi Kumar, Anusha Viswanathan
Makeup: Selvam Mani
Stills: Karthik Shekhar
VFX : UNIVERSAL LAB, RENDERHOOD, WEDUO, KIN
Creative Producer: Noah Abraham Prabhu
Executive Producer: S. Sethuramalingam
Public Relations: Yuvraj
