Oru Naal Oru Kanavu Tamil Movie
"Oru Naal Oru Kanavu" is the type of film we have come to expect from Fazil. It's taut, proficient and has the feel of something he's knocked off during his coffee break.
However ONOK is substandard when compared to his previous works such as 'Kadhalukku Mariyadhai' and 'Varusham 16'. The tale of love in ONOK comes nowhere near his refined studies on love.
The story revolves around Cheenu (Srikanth) a hard workingman with a mien of a personality, the drive, and the commitment to marry off his two sisters, and take care of his parents. To meet his both ends meet, Cheenu does all sorts of odd jobs: delivery boy, car driver, and tuition master.
Maya Devi (Sonia Agarwal) a wealthy, flamboyant, high-spirited girl bumps on Srikanth on several occasions and gets attracted by his agility and lively demeanor. She instantly develops a sort of liking for him. Later, her canny likeness blossoms into love, which she conveys to Cheenu.
But Cheenu loathes Maya for her bossy attitude and rejects her overtures. Unable to stand his retribution, Maya vows to make Cheenu fall for her by making his life miserable.
Piqued by the dodgy games Maya plays on him, Cheenu contrives a plan to make her repent for her reprehensible deeds. He pretends to have fallen in love with her. Unexpected turn of events make Cheenu realize Maya's kindness within, and he falls truly in love with her.
Even while Maya and Cheenu come to an understanding, Maya's brothers intervene and threaten Cheenu with dire consequences if he does not leave Maya once for all. Cheenu vows to marry Maya after he become rich and attain a status equal to theirs.
Will Cheenu succeed in his challenge? I do not want to reveal the remaining plot and spoil your experience with the movie.
Fazil's script is well structured and unfolds with clockwork precision. However, on the down side, the film lacks passages of cracking dialogues we know he can produce, and narrative punch that could give you a good cinematic experience that will stay firmly in your memory.
Srikanth with a more restrained performance has carried the film over his shoulder. Aside from Srikanth, the film does offer another impressive performance from Sonia Agarwal.
The fringe characters include Ilavarasu, Sathyan, Sukumar, and 'Sissor' Manohar who provide humor that brings only chuckles. While Prasad and Seida play Srikanth's parents, Rathan and Jaya play Sonia's parents.
Music Director Ilayaraja has given few mellifluous compositions. The best of the lot is a classical soundtrack "Kaatril Varum Geetham".
Cinematographer AnandaKuttan has captured the gorgeous backdrop of Kerala excellently. His stunning visual effects provide the perfect ambience to uplift the love sentiments peppered through out the film.
By rather sanctimonious conclusion you may find ONOK too light to linger long in the memory. But still with lead casts on song, it is still a safe bet compared to most love flicks today.
