Nakili

Synopsis: After leaving the government home where he grew up, Karthik (Vijay Antony) wants to begin life afresh. He decides to move to Chennai after his relatives refuse to take him in. After the bus in which he is travelling meets with an accident, Karthik takes on the identity of his dead co-passenger and joins a medical college, but the past plays catching up.

Movie Review: Director Sankar may have added the name of his mentor, director-cinematographer Jeeva, to his, but it is to Alfred Hitchcock that he pays homage to in his first movie. The thriller, which also has musician Vijay Antony making his debut, takes the audience on a "strangers on a bus" tour and boy, it is some ride. The ending, though, is a tad too convenient.

Though trained as a cinematographer, Sankar shows that he has other talents too and takes on the mantle of story, screenplay, cinematography and direction. And comes out with flying colours. But for some minor blips, the writing (and therefore the movie too) is pretty gripping throughout, and keeps the audience on the edge of the seats.

The same goes for Vijay Antony too, who invests in the lead character the right amount of gravitas. He is aptly cast as a loner trying to create a new life for himself, one who has to constantly navigate the minefields of life. That he is an untrained actor shows in some heavy-duty emotional scenes (like when his friend Ashok dies), and he still has a lot of stuff to learn.

It is Vijay Antony's 25th movie as composer, but it is his work on re-recording that leaves a mark though Ulaginil Miga Uyaram (sung by Vijay Antony himself) will haunt you long after you leave the theatre. It won't be a surprise though if Makkayala... tops the music charts because of its peppy score.

Siddharth (who was earlier seen in Aananda Thaandavam), Rupa Manjiri (of Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru fame) and Vijay Victor do a competent job, but Anuya has nothing more than a glorified guest appearance.

The tagline of the movie says "No one is perfect", but it is good to see debutant directors and actors striving to attain it.

Tip-off: The perfect thriller to spice up the weekend!