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| Edited By: Latha Srinivasan |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jan 29, 2016, 05:33 PM IST
Film: Aranmanai 2
Cast: Sundar C, Siddharth, Trisha, Hansika
Director: Sundar C
Rating: ***
What it's about: This horror-comedy comes with high expectations because director Sundar C's Aranmanai was a blockbuster. However, other than the title, there's no similarity between the two films. Sundar has put together a good ensemble cast for Aranmanai 2. Hansika is the only actor he has retained from the original. We are taken to a village where a Goddess has to be instated in the inner sanctum of an Amman temple on the day of a festival. However, the Goddess' power to protect people from evil spirits is not in effect for two weeks before the festival is to take place and, thus, certain people who indulge in black magic unleash some spirits to make money. We then meet Murali (Siddharth) who is engaged to his cousin Anitha (Trisha). The two are on a holiday but are asked to return when Murali's father goes into a coma. Unbeknown to them, one of the evil spirits seems to have attacked him. When the entire family is in the mansion, the spirit starts to wreak havoc. Strange things start to happen to those in the house. Anitha's brother (Sundar C) joins the family and starts to investigate. A driver is killed, Siddharth's nephew nearly drowns and his brother disappears. We also find out that Maya (Hansika) is Murali's sister. Where is she? Whose spirit is it in the mansion? What does it want? How do they get rid of it?
What's good: Director Sundar C is well-versed in handling multi-starrers now and Aranmanai 2 shows how easily he can pull them off. All the characters have a specific role and, even if present in just a few scenes, are linked to the movie and made meaningful. Siddharth has pulled off the role of Murali with ease. This is perhaps one character that will have been a cakewalk for him, considering the kind of films he has done before. This is, however, the first time we are seeing Trisha in a horror flick. The director put her in two contrasting positions— one of a modern young girl in love and the other of a woman possessed. She sizzles in the beach song with Siddharth and her transition to being possessed is convincing. This movie will definitely be a feather in her cap. Hansika is cute and bubbly where she's required to be and pulls off a wonderful performance in the film. Since she was in Aranmanai, she knows the genre and the USP of the film well. One must talk about the performance of Soori and Kovai Sarala here as they were two of the biggest strengths of the film. They share great chemistry on screen and their comedy works really well for the audience. The movie is extremely colourful and the cinematography stands out here. Sundar has ensured that the audience gets a visual treat and the clothes, sets and scenery are all very appealing and pleasing to the eye. The BGM is perfect in this horror-comedy and full credit goes to Hip Hop Tamizha. The duo has proved that they can score music across genres. The Amman song was a treat and has a surprise for the audience!
What's not: The issue with this genre is that too many such movies come out and most have predictable endings. So it is up to the writer and director to come up with something that is scary and has enough twists and turns. In this case, however, the story lacks exactly that. Though the comedy works very well, the 'scare' and 'spook' elements are sadly missing and becomes very predictable after a point. The second half of the movie moves quickly but the first half could have perhaps been written better. Sundar's Aranmanai has set the bar and many elements in this film remind you of its predecessor.
What to do: If you want a lot of laughs with some horror thrown in, then catch Aranmanai 2.
