NINAITHALE INIKKUM - REVIEW

Debutant director G N R Kumarvelu’s ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’, a remake of Malayalam hit ‘Classmates’, is a campus crackle that speaks of fun, joy and camaraderie among friends in a college campus.With a young brigade including Prithviraj, Shakthi and Priyamani at the scheme of things, the movie does manage to take one to their college days – the revelry, romance and of course revenge.

Prithviraj hogs all limelight playing a young student Siva, who has a purpose to achieve. So is Shakthi, who plays his best friend in the college. Priyamani as Prithvi’s lover adds to the play.Of course with a host of characters around, debutant director Kumaravel has managed to have come out with a script that has a lighter side before settling down for a touchy climax.Kumaravel is assisted by Vijay Antony’s music, which has a right mix of peppy and soft numbers. Unlike his earlier films, Vijay Antony has allowed lyrics to dominate his music. Equally impressive is Balasubramaniam’s soft lens. The cinematographer captures the life in a college hostel in a different tone.

Siva (Prithvi) looks back at his college days as he returns from Mumbai to attend his college reunion (almost after eight years). The flashback unfolds. Siva, who has an immediate concern for the welfare of others, leads a happy life in the campus along with friends including Shakthi (Shakthi).

Siva’s rising popularity in the college irks Vasu (Karthik Kumar). He sets out to seek revenge on him. Enters Meera (Priyamani), daughter of a local MLA, who studies in the same college. She falls in love with Siva after the latter saves her from a police charge.

Vasu plays a trick and succeeds in making Meera contest against Siva in the college union elections. Friction develops in their affair. But greater things unfold as election begins. Shakthi is found dead in the hostel.A heart-broken Siva informs none and leaves to Mumbai. A series of events unfold during the college reunion that forms the climax and it ends on a touchy note.

If Prithviraj and Priyamaani lends solidity to their roles, Shakthi walks away with all honours with his breezy and cool performance. Priyamani has no major role to play, yet she kind of leaves an impression in that role.K Bhagiyaraj as Shakthi’s father impresses while the rest of the cast including Ilavarasu, ‘Goodluck’ Lakshmanan and Manobala are adequate. ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’ is a movie for the youngsters. Though it is far from the magic of the original.

Ninaithale Inikkum – Campus crackle