Pa Paandi review: Dhanush renders an emotionally pleasing film

Direction: Dhanush

Cast: Dhanush, Rajkiran, Revathy, Prasanna, Chaya Singh

Dhanush, the multifaceted personality that he is, has added one more feather to his cap. Yes, after proving his mettle in acting with a national award at the early stage of his career, donning a lyricist, singer, writer and producing movies, Dhanush’s latest avatar is that of a director. With ‘Pa Paandi’, he showcases his skill of delivering a feel good family entertainer with a message of sorts.

Paandian Pazhanisami aka Power Paandi (Rajkiran), a noted stunt master in the 80s lives with his son Raghavan (Prasanna), daughter-in-law Prema (Chaya Singh) and grand children Dhruv and Shaksha after his retirement. Though Raghavan treats him well by providing a room for his privacy, good food and adores his grandchildren and vice versa, Paandi feels there’s something missing in his life. That’s because, often Paandi and Raghvan are at loggerheads due to the latter being a kind-hearted person, which often gets him into trouble. On one such occasion Paandi beats few drug peddlers severely and it becomes a police case. Raghavan is summoned to the police station to solve the situation. This results in Raghavan yelling at his dad with harsh words.

A disillusioned Paandi yearns for freedom and sets out on a soul searching journey on his favorite bike, leaving just a letter behind. A flashback reveals the village life of teenage Paandi (essayed by Dhanush) and his first love with Poonthendral (Madonna Sebastian).

Turn of events leads the 65-year-old Paandi to his old flame who is now settled in Hyderabad. She is now a grandmother (played by Revathy), has a daughter (Divyadarshini) and a grandchild. The rest is all about how their memories are rekindled and whether Paandi gets the much-needed contentment that he was seeking!

Dhanush has resorted to conventional way of story telling, but his smart writing and screenplay makes all the difference. Despite bankrolling the project under his banner, the director in him does not go over board at any point of time. He has rendered an emotionally pleasing drama without taking any cinematic liberties. While the first half moves slowly without any twists and turns - where he just takes time to establish the characters - post interval it is packed with interesting episodes. The scene involving Gautham Menon and Robo Shankar is a scream.

Rajkiran with his extraordinary screen presence does a fine job and shines in each and every scene. Revathy, though in an extended cameo, elevates the whole proceedings with her versatile acting.  A powerhouse performer, the scenes involving her and Rajkiran are realistic and thought-provoking. Prasanna comes out with genuine and lifelike. Chaya Singh hardly has anything to do. More than the romance of Dhanush and Madonna, it is the matured love of Rajkiran and Revathy that stands out!

On the technical front, Velraj’s cinematography is functional and Sean Roldon’s songs and BGM are apt for the mood. It is an honest attempt from Dhanush which is worth a watch.