I had watched 3 Idiots a couple of times at the time it was released. And was frankly apprehensive how the Shankar version would pan out. I went to the movie telling myself that I should not be influenced by the Hindi version. The first few scenes where Venkatakrishnan and Senthil are introduced the comparisons with the original seemed inevitable. And so it was when Pari is introduced leading intothe electrified spoon scene. However all comparisons disappear as the film progresses and at the end of the movie what remains is Shankar's Paari and the friendship with Venkat and Senthil. A brilliant and highly refined performance by Vijay of Paari. You have to watch this movie to believe it. Nothing is overstated. The warmth of Paari's friendship with Venkat and Senthil is simply overwhelming. Nothing about the performance of the three leading male characters is out of place. The easy acceptance of Paari by Venkat, the tentativeness of Senthil, the quiet confidence of Paari! Simply overwhelming. Shankar deserves the utmost praise for bringing out the characters so beautifully. Some scenes that standout: 1. Vijay with Sathyaraj at the funeralof the funeral of Vijay Vasant. The utter despair is so beautifully expressed. 2. Vijay with Sathyaraj at the principal's office post the funeral, where Vijay says he is expressing dissatisfaction with the educational system. 3. The three friends walking out of Jeeva's house joking about Jeeva's family. So brilliantly natural. 4. Vijay expressing his love to Anunya! 5. Vijay and others in the hospital trying to cheer up a comatose Jeeva.Beautiful. 6. Srikanth pleading with his father to allow him to be a photographer. Highly intense, emotional and outstanding performances. 7. Jeeva's conversation with Ileana to have her walk out of the marriage function. 8. Ileana in conversation with Sathyaraj about the elder brother's suicide. 9. The final few scenes where the Jeeva, Srikanth and Ileana trio meetVijay! Vijay laying on the beach sand, getting kicked and beaten up by his buddies, with an accepting smile on his face! Such genuine warmth at meeting his friends! Performances wise, Vijay stands tall!He looks and plays the part of Paari to perfection. So subtle, clean and thoroughly enjoyable is his performance that Aamir Khan is swept out of the mind! Next I have to mention Srikanth. Right from his voice modulation (that can particularly frustrating to hear most times) to his rather excellent performance. The scene with his parents pleading to allow him to be a photographer is quite genuine. Thankfully I can now put Madhavan and his too oft repeated trademark toothy smile out of mind now. Jeeva is excellent. The only reason why I am putting him after Srikanth,is purely due to Srikanth's surprisingly good performance and voice modulation. Sathyan in his best role to date. A little loud and squeaky at times. But gets obliterated by the majesty of Vijay and his buddies performances. Sathyaraj most of the times. Would have been outstanding had he pulled of the cameo dance that Boman Irani does for his daughter! Thankfully it was not Prakash Raj in this role as some reports had suggested when the film was announced. Ileana. Has done well in the few scenes where it was required. Overall a majestic film. Vijay at his supreme best. Go watch it in a movie house, multiple times.
Review of Nanban
