Movie Review:Nanthuni

Banner: Athu and Achu Creations
Cast: Vijayaraghavan, Mithuna, Govindhan Kutty, Saikumar, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Devan, Mala Aravindhan, Ambika Mohan etc
Music: Priyesh Manambatta
Cinematography: Sasi Ramakrishnan
Director: Hari Narayanan
Producer:Kannan Mannarkaad
Release Date: March 07, 2010

Story:
Based on a true story, the tale begins with the life of Nanu Aasan (vijayaraghavan) who is a noted Nanthuni player and at the same time, he is a good healer through medical herbs as well. Given his caste, he is not liked by many in the upper classes. Things take a turn when Aasan’s daughter Radhamony (mithuna) falls in love with Viswanathan (govindan kutty) and Aasan hits the roof when he discovers that. Though there is a lot of attachment towards sentiments and faith, Radhamony ends up touching the medical herbs in a situation to save a boy’s life. In no time, bad things begin to befall and what happens from there forms the rest of the story.

Presentation:
The director has come up with a story that is said to be true and though the presentation was apt, the narrative could have been better. The dialogues were alright, the script was weak and the screenplay was normal. Background score was below mark but one song was excellent. Cinematography was patchy and was unable to capture the locations or the emotions correctly. Costumes were not having much presence while the art department made good use of this opportunity. Vijayaraghavan gives a decent performance in this one and Mithuna looks seductive and talented, Govindan Kutty could have been better, Saikumar was standard, Shivaji was alright, Devan was decent, the others didn’t have much to contribute.

Conclusion:
The story is said to be based on the life of Nanu Aasan who was said to be living in the village of Valluvanad many years ago. That apart, while the first half of the film goes steady, things get a bit dizzy during the second half and this tends to test the patience of the audience. The film lacks a rational approach and runs on purely blind sentiments which tend to give an extreme opinion. So those who would like it will adore it and the rest will abhor it. At the box office, the chances are quite mixed for this one.