S Saraswathi feels Gouravam is shallow, it has incompetent script, slow documentary-style narration and weak cast.
Gouravam, produced under the banner of Prakash Raj Productions in association with Vendhar Movies, is a bilingual film that was simultaneously shot in both Tamil and Telugu. Director Radhamohan, who is known for Mozhi, Abhiyum Naanum and Payanam, has once again teamed up with Prakash Raj to direct this film.
Unlike his earlier light-hearted films, this time he takes up a serious subject like honour killings and caste discrimination that is prevalent even now in rural India.
The film has newcomers Sirish (brother of Allu Arjun) and Yami Gautam of Vicky Donor fame in the lead roles, along with Prakash Raj, Nassar, Kumaravel, Sricharan, L B Sri Ram and Anupama Kumar.
The story opens with Arjun (Sirish) at an official meeting in a small town getting approval for his project. On his way back, he comes across a village with a familiar name and upon realising that it is the hometown of his college mate, Shanmugham, he decides to pay him a visit.
From the moment he steps into the village, he realises that something is very wrong. He is unable to understand the angry stares, evasive responses and the rude behaviour of the villagers.
In fact they ask him to leave the village stating that Shanmugham did not live there anymore and no one knew his whereabouts.
Just when he is about to leave, he meets a friendly villager Maasi (Kumaravel), who explains that the villagers are angry because Shanmugham, who belongs to a lower caste has eloped with Rajeshwari, daughter of the rich upper caste landlord Pasupathi (Prakash Raj). Arjun also learns from Maasi that the village was prone to violent caste clashes and this incident only aggravated the matter.
Arjun’s meeting with Shanmugham’s frail and sick father, who is desperate to know if his son is well, moves him deeply. He promises to find his son for him and decides to investigate the matter.
Is Arjun able to unite Shanmugham