Any successful sports based movie will be known for its high energy, feel good factor and fast paced screenplay. Director Arivazhagan's Valliinam is having all these factors and adding to these he has also conveyed an interesting message which is very much essential to the entire nation.
The film opens with an interesting conversation between Krishna (Nakul) and Shiva (Kreshna-cameo) who are best buddies in Trichy and Shiva is the main reason for cultivating a strong basketball passion in Krishna. During an inter-college basketball match, Shiva meets with an accident and passes away. In order to overcome Shiva's death, Krishna (Nakul) gets himself a transfer to Chennai National college and also decides not to play basketball anymore.
In Chennai, Nakul develops friendship with Guna who is incidentally a basketball player. He realizes that just like his old coach's (actor Aadhi, another cameo) saying, despite rejection anything which is truly loved will come back to us some day. The situation forces Nakul to play the game for a good cause.
Nakul's new college is highly obsessed with cricket and it doesn't have any proper basketball team. The remaining story tells about how Nakul and his basketball team prove the pride of their game in Chennai city. It also showcases the same to the villain who is Nakul's senior and their college's cricket team captain.
Having selected basketball as the film's backdrop, director Arivazhagan must be lauded for showcasing the game with maximum authentication. Vallinam's major strength is that every basketball sequence in the film is interesting and the shots are well focused. Everyone including the hero looks convincing as a basketball player and their efforts are well recreated in the big screen.
Coming to the cast, Vallinam is easily one of the best performance from Nakul. The actor is subtle and focused throughout the film and his climax dialogue delivery where he motivates his team members is commendable.
After Nakul, it is Jayaprakash and Atul Kulkarni who are taking the film to the next level. Jayaprakash handles his rich 'JK' character with ease, so as Atul Kulkarni as the coach. The other cast including Santhana Bharathi, Jagan and the debut heroine Mrudhula are adequate and fit to their roles.
Thaman's songs are just passable numbers but his BGM is terrific and pulsating, which elevates the film's tempo in all the basket ball matches. Debut cinematographer Baskaran has done a wonderful job behind the lens. The basketball matches are well shot and it gives the feeling of being inside a basketball stadium. Especially the climax basketball match is well shot within a limited light setting.
On the flip side, the first half of Vallinam deviates from the main theme with the inclusion of dreamy songs, clichéd romantic portions and also with the routine college comedy. But the good thing is that in the second half, the director shifts his focus to the core theme and throughout the second half he has maintained the tempo, which is quite laudable. Also, Arivazhagan must be appreciated for conveying an important message to give equal importance to all games.
Overall, Vallinam is a highly entertaining film with a good message, which is sure to be enjoyed by all sections of audience.
Rajasekar S, Cinemalead
The film opens with an interesting conversation between Krishna (Nakul) and Shiva (Kreshna-cameo) who are best buddies in Trichy and Shiva is the main reason for cultivating a strong basketball passion in Krishna. During an inter-college basketball match, Shiva meets with an accident and passes away. In order to overcome Shiva's death, Krishna (Nakul) gets himself a transfer to Chennai National college and also decides not to play basketball anymore.
In Chennai, Nakul develops friendship with Guna who is incidentally a basketball player. He realizes that just like his old coach's (actor Aadhi, another cameo) saying, despite rejection anything which is truly loved will come back to us some day. The situation forces Nakul to play the game for a good cause.
Nakul's new college is highly obsessed with cricket and it doesn't have any proper basketball team. The remaining story tells about how Nakul and his basketball team prove the pride of their game in Chennai city. It also showcases the same to the villain who is Nakul's senior and their college's cricket team captain.
Having selected basketball as the film's backdrop, director Arivazhagan must be lauded for showcasing the game with maximum authentication. Vallinam's major strength is that every basketball sequence in the film is interesting and the shots are well focused. Everyone including the hero looks convincing as a basketball player and their efforts are well recreated in the big screen.
Coming to the cast, Vallinam is easily one of the best performance from Nakul. The actor is subtle and focused throughout the film and his climax dialogue delivery where he motivates his team members is commendable.
After Nakul, it is Jayaprakash and Atul Kulkarni who are taking the film to the next level. Jayaprakash handles his rich 'JK' character with ease, so as Atul Kulkarni as the coach. The other cast including Santhana Bharathi, Jagan and the debut heroine Mrudhula are adequate and fit to their roles.
Thaman's songs are just passable numbers but his BGM is terrific and pulsating, which elevates the film's tempo in all the basket ball matches. Debut cinematographer Baskaran has done a wonderful job behind the lens. The basketball matches are well shot and it gives the feeling of being inside a basketball stadium. Especially the climax basketball match is well shot within a limited light setting.
On the flip side, the first half of Vallinam deviates from the main theme with the inclusion of dreamy songs, clichéd romantic portions and also with the routine college comedy. But the good thing is that in the second half, the director shifts his focus to the core theme and throughout the second half he has maintained the tempo, which is quite laudable. Also, Arivazhagan must be appreciated for conveying an important message to give equal importance to all games.
Overall, Vallinam is a highly entertaining film with a good message, which is sure to be enjoyed by all sections of audience.
Rajasekar S, Cinemalead
