A few years ago, Malayalam actor Mohanlal wowed the audience with his mind-blowing performance in a full-length role of a Kathakali exponent in his home production Vaanaprastham.

Now Satyaraj who recently gave a scintillating performance in (and as) Periyrar is reportedly doing the role of a Kathakali artist in the Tamil film Vambuchanda. Udaykiran and Divya are the other main actors in the film.

Director Raj Kapoor has also penned the screenplay and dialogue. Music is by D Imman.

Etharkkaga Enne Nee Kaadhal Seykiray? (Why do you love me?), the opening number, as well as the subsequent ones in the five track Vambuchanda album, cannot be called even distant cousins of Kathakali songs! Etharkkaga begins with hip-hop and has rap interludes. Jassie Gift with his inimitable voice and Sayonara Philip with her quicksilver voice join the composer to infuse energy in this foot-tapping track. This slightly hot number has simplistic lyrics by Thabu Shankar. Even Pa Vijay who has penned the lyrics of all the other tracks has not been able to rise above mediocrity.

Thaal Thiravai by Naresh Iyer and Jyotsna, which follows is a romantic duet about lovers who are consumed by 'kadhal thee' (the fire of love). Percussion is minimal and Imman, even by introducing guitar passages, good rhythm and chorus in western style, has been able to raise it only to average level.

The album becomes banal with the next number Jeeboomba by Naveen and Archith. The instrumental interlude with guitar strains sounds out of place in this track.

Tension Machaan has given Vijay Jesudas a chance to divert from his usual melody numbers and try out a fast genre of music. But Imman's tune and Pa Vijay's lyrics are a total let down leaving Vijay with nothing much to do.

Imman has reserved the intro song for the last. The concluding piece Pagai Odunga Odunga is a glorification of the hero in superlative terms. Imman's fondness for hip-hop and rap is obvious in this number too. But the composer deserves kudos for his forcible rendition. Pa Vijay with his meaningful lyrics and the composer with his efficacious rendition in a vibrant voice have been able to paint a vivid picture of the powerful and brave protagonist.

It's another lacklustre fare from D Imman.

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