One more celebrity-son is joining the histrionics league. Director P Vasu's son Shakthi is debuting as hero in his father's Tamil film, Thottal poo malarum. Shakthi has already faced the camera as a child artist with stalwarts like Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan and Prabhu. Vasu was much talked about after the phenomenal success of his Rajni starrer Chandramukhi.
The title of his new film is a take off from one of yesteryear's super hit songs Thottal poo malarum from the MGR-Saroja Devi starrer Padagotti. The same song was later melodiously remixed by A R Rahman for the film New.
Yuvan Shankar Raja has set to tune the lyrics penned by Valee and Snehan (one song).
Arabu naade, the opening number of the album, has a delightful tune and Hindi lyrics. It exudes a Hindustani flavour. Valee's lyrics are imaginatively yet simply phrased, with the youth besotted by the lass's beauty comparing her to Urdu poet Omar Khayyam's verses. Fascinating rhythm, harmonious instrumental spells, undercurrent of melody and graceful rendition by Hari Charan and Yuvan Shankar Raja make this an appealing piece.
Yuvan has again lent his voice along with Ranjeeth for the next number Vittal Suriyanai which has enough zing to shake a leg. Frenzied percussion and trendy beats, orchestra blazing away at times drowning the vocals, modern imagery , extra sounds in between and rap interlude all together make this a lively number.
Kadatharen naan unnai coming up next with Snehan's sensuous lyrics is a hot number. It has all the potential to titillate the front-benchers. Rahul and Sainthavi have sung with gusto this piece in koothu style. Percussion with drumbeats dominating is insipid.
Valayal karangalai by Vijay Jesudas is a melodious number but fortunately not in the weepy genre usually earmarked by the composers for Vijay. Vijay's rendition with gentle intonation showcases his vocal range. Valee's lyrics soaked in sentiments, moderately fast beats, alluring violin passages and impressive instrumental finale are the hallmarks of this track.
Vibrant and open-throated rendition by Haricharan and Binni Krishnakumar make Ennai pidicha Kadhal pei an intensely vigorous number and a potential chartbuster. The rhythm pattern follows a convoluted course of fast and slow. Hip-hop, guitar & violin passages, and Valee's intense lyrics are the striking aspects of this romantic duet.
Yuvan winds up with the mediocre Vaadi vambu pennae. The song is all about the best friend giving advice to the girl after the latter's engagement on the eve of her wedding. The lyrics, insipid and too prosaic, are a letdown. Orchestration including tabla and extended nadaswaram passages create a village ambience and give the number a mild folk flavour. Guitar and flute strains and Sujatha's lovely rendition -- though her voice sounds too shrill in some places -- are the other redeeming factors.
Not a bad effort by Yuvan Shankar Raja, though nothing extraordinary.
Rediff Rating: 
