Thirumanam Enum Nikkah fails to live up to expectations, writes S Saraswathi.
Produced by Aascar Ravichandran and directed by debutant Anis, Thirumanam Enum Nikkah highlights the richness and vibrancy of the culture and heritage of the Muslim community.
The film is set in the backdrop of a simple love story and the director has worked hard to bring out the warmth, friendship and hospitality of the community.
Despite what the title suggests, the film is not about lovers from two different cultural backgrounds getting together.
The film opens with an overnight train journey.
Raghavachari (Jai) and Vishnu Priya (Nazriya Nazim) are both part of the IT industry and are travelling to Coimbatore on work.
They are both Brahmins but are travelling on false identities. Raghavan who hasn’t booked a ticket is given the ticket of a 24-year-old Muslim youth by the name of Abu Bakr by a crooked travel agent. And Priya is helping out her Muslim friend Ayisha, by making a presentation on her behalf.
They become acquainted with each another on the journey, but are unaware of each other’s true identity.
After returning to Chennai they continue to be friends and soon fall in love.
Since they both come from conservative families, they are terrified of their families’ reactions to marriage to someone from the Muslim community. They face a huge dilemma totally unaware that they belong to the same caste.
Both families are large and vocal, giving scope for a host of supporting characters.
Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends, the film is overloaded with characters, but instead of making it fun and lively, it just seems like a lot of unnecessary chaos.
Even though the lead pair is desperate to understand and adapt to the culture and rituals of the Muslims, the thrill is missing as right from the beginning, their duplicity is exposed to the audience.
There is no anticipation of how things will eventually turn out. The director does try to twist things a little bit in the climax, but it just does not work.
Even the comedy seems forced. Pandiarajan, who makes brief appearances at odd intervals, is totally pathetic.
Cinematographer Loganathan has brought out the colourful festivities, the music, dance and rituals of the two cultures very well.
Music by Ghibran is one of the highlights of the film and all the songs have been well picturised.
There is little in the story, however, to keep you engrossed. The director has focused entirely on bringing out the differences and similarities between the two cultures, especially the Muslim community, without the intense drama and inevitable clashes.
Much was expected from the film as the music had created quite a buzz and the presence of both Jai and Nazriya, who have recently had a good run at the box office, added to the attraction.
Unfortunately, the film fails to live up to expectation despite the good performance by both Jai and Nazriya.
Rediff Rating: 
