It was hoped that this remake of the Malayalam super-hit Kireedam (Crown), starring Mohanlal, might provide the action-star Ajith's career a classic boost as an actor's actor.

The original was a poignant account of a police officer's son who is unwittingly caught in dangerous situations, and ends up paying too high a price for his values and very life.

With Ajith taking the lead here, and Trisha providing a romantic angle, the movie ought to have set the cash registers ringing. It didn't.

It was Mohanlal's realistic acting, his fine, restrained performance (he won his first national commendation for the role), and the raw and power-packed climax that made the Malayalam version a success.

Aside from the fact that Ajith's performance lacked the same fire, the climax was later altered to suit his star status. The experiment didn't work, though Ajith got marks for trying something different. A worthy feather in the cap of its makers.

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