Most film theorists sit over a cup of coffee and say that Indian cinema has evolved. Such theorists haven't seen Tamil films like Paratai Engira Azhagu Sundaram.

Paratai is the story of a youngster, Azhagu Sundaram, from a remote village in Tirunelveli, who reaches Chennai in search of a livelihood to support his mother after his father's death.

As fate has it, he becomes a gangster and gains popularity as Paratai, in a very short time. He then develops an aversion towards lawlessness and wants to return to his mother, and the peace of his village. Circumstances however conspire to prevent him from doing that.

Meanwhile, his mother follows him to Chennai, but finds it difficult to locate him in the huge city.

And so it goes on. The story is never consistent -- at times it is about misled, helpless individuals and at other times, it is about the love between a mother and a son. The whole boils down to a disappointing climax.

Director Suresh Krishna has relied on melodrama to make up for the story's deficiencies. Poor performances add to the film's low points.

Archana's performance is the biggest letdown. The national award winner could have chosen a better script for her comeback. Dhanush, as the hero, does fairly well. Having played similar roles earlier, Meera Jasmine has perfected the bubbly bold character and provides some relief in her short role.

Gurukiran's music fails to create an impression. The timing of the songs in the film add to the jarring effect; there is one point where two songs are almost simultaneous.

The editing has been largely good -- a necessary thing, as the movie goes into flashback quite often. Cinematographer Velraj has managed to catch some picturesque landscapes. However, unnecessary attempts to excite, with tilted visuals or unwanted jerks, only strain the viewer.

Director Suresh Krishna has used Rajnikanth's name, in and out of context, in a big to appeal to the superstar's (who is also Dhanush's father-in-law) fans -- but that is as ineffective as everything else in the movie.