Saran's Gemini film production house has been credited with the production of Tamil film, Vattaram (locality).
Saran has claimed that he has written the screenplay and directed this yarn about the Chennai version of Adnan Khashoggi (the arms wheeler dealer of Turkish origin who lives in Monaco, but never mind him) called Gurupaadam (Napolean).
It is all about someone called Burma (Arya) who lives in Chennai and sells second-hand guns to gangsters for a fistful of dollars. When he is not doing that, he gallivants in the beaches of Goa [Images] and Kerala [Images], trying to ignore the heroine (Kirit Bhattal), who is ready to smooch him even without the drop of the proverbial hat, and shoots enough extras oozing with tomato ketchup.
In the first reel, Burma saves the Tamil Khashoggi's life. This South Indian arms dealer (supposed to be arranging deals between governments and goons and who also pays income tax on it) can't get small handguns in Chennai. It's supply can be arranged only by Burma.
In the midst of all this, the hero wrecks a railway compartment in Chennai and beach benches in Goa, and also finds time to dance in dream sequences by a waterfall!
The Diwali release has enough tympanum-splitting effects to attract the attention of another Saran who answers to the name of Lathika who also happens to be the Commissioner of Police of Chennai city for sound pollution.
Music director Bharadwaj has tuned Vairamuthu's lyrics in eminently forgettable songs.
Arya looks poker faced and wooden. Napolean, sporting blond highlights, is let down by a poor film.
Rediff Rating: