'Bangalore Naatkal' review: This remake doesn't measure up to the original Malayalam superhit

Film: Bangalore Naatkal
Cast: Arya, Bobby Simha, Sri Divya, Rana Daggubati, Parvathy, Samantha, Saranya Ponnvanan
Director: Bhaskar
Rating: **

What it's about: The film is a remake of the Malayalam superhit Bangalore Days which was written and directed by Anjali Menon. It's a story of three cousins—Arjun (Arya), Kannan (Bobby Simha) and Divya (Sri Divya)—who move to Bangalore for their own reasons. Arjun is a biker whose parents are separated. He is close to his cousins Kannan, a software engineer and Divya who dreams of becoming an IIM grad. Into Divya's life comes Prasad (Rana Daggubati), a workaholic whom she ends up marrying because of her dad. Kannan dates an air hostess (Raai Laxmi). Arjun falls in love with RJ Sarah (Parvathy). One day Divya is shocked to find the presence of another girl in her husband's life. What happens to Divya's marriage? Does Arjun end up with his love? What happens to Kannan and his girlfriend?

What's good: Each of the characters is different and how they deal with life takes the movie forward. The movie takes you through their struggles, what they go through in their relationships and the emotional bond between the cousins. In the performances, it is Parvathy and Saranya Ponnvannan who stand out.

What's not: The Tamil remake, unfortunately, does not measure up to the original at all. The essence of the original Malayalam film Bangalore Days is lost in translation. Director Bhaskar who has written the screenplay in Tamil has not done justice to Anjali Menon's film. This is a tragedy because her film is a classic. The Tamil remake is poorly made in contrast— the screenplay doesn't hold your interest, some of the actors' performances are mechanical and you don't connect to the characters. The film is like a soda pop gone flat.

What to do: Watch the original film Bangalore Days in Malayalam.