Nanban

The Tamil remake of Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster Hindi film '3 Idiots' based on Chetan Bhagat's 'Five Point Someone...' novel is the first of its kind in Kollywood history. Helmed by superstar director Shankar (his very first remake), a top team of technicians including Anthony, Resul Pookutty and Harris Jayaraj, and an ensemble cast that includes Illayathalapathy Vijay, Jiiva, Shrikanth, Satyaraj, Sathyan, Ileana and several others, 'Nanban' is indeed a must-watch.

Like its original version, the story points out the discrepancies in India's educational system which emphasizes cramming and good grades above knowledge and passion for one's chosen field. Told through flashbacks, the film follows Venkat (Shrikanth) and Senthil (Jiiva) as they search for their college friend who disappeared from their lives after changing them for the better. Panchavan Pariventhan (Vijay), Venkat and Senthil are engineering students who are unable to cope with the system due to their individual flaws. While Paari scores high with his love of machines and lateral thinking, his two friends have a tough time; Senthil is put under extreme pressure to graduate and help his poverty-ridden family, while Venkat has no interest in engineering, his true love being wildlife photography. It is Paari's unconventional thinking and his mantra 'All is well' that helps both of them succeed in life.

But where has Paari gone after graduation? Further details of their college life are revealed, including the trio's never-ending war with Principal Virumaandi Santhanam aka Virus (Satyaraj), an eccentric educator who is determined to make sure the three "idiots", as he calls them, don't come up in life. Also added to this colorful cast are Silencer (Sathyan), a bookish nerd; Riya (Ileana), Virus' daughter and Paari's love interest; Swetha (Anuya), Riya's elder sister; and Panneerselvam (Vijay Vasanth), a senior who loses more than just his degree to the pressures of the educational system. Also, a surprise awaits-- in the form of S. J. Suryah.

'Nanban' extracts top performances from all the lead actors. Vijay has undergone a complete makeover and shines in the humorous and emotional scenes. Jiiva, Shrikanth and Sathyan are perfect for their roles, while Satyaraj does a good job alternating from menacing villain to clown. Ileana does nothing memorable when compared to Kareena Kapoor in the original, but she is suited to the song-and-dance sequences that abound.

The film is slightly longer than warranted- Anthony could have done a sharper editing job! Manoj Paramahamsa provides the right feel as cinematographer. Harris Jayaraj has rendered some wonderful situational songs, with 'Asku Laska' (commendable lyrics by Karky!) and 'En Frienda Pola' being the picks of the album. The "Irukaanaa" number seems to have been added in to appease Vijay's fan following, and there's no harm in that! As for Shankar himself, it is best to follow his advice and "watch the film without any expectations". 99% faithful to the original, the director has crafted another memorable classic.

NANBAN: Must-watch!

I watched the Hindi version of this film 5 times, as I'm a crazy on the novel "Five Point Someone – What not to do at IIT!", and "Nanban" was an exact resemblance of "3 Idiots", with an added song.

Found very hard to got a ticket, even in the second day!! (Mentioning this as the film was released in more than 15 theaters in Chennai)

Casting and acting were superb, and none would have seen such an acting from our "Ilaya Thalabathy" Vijay, with Srikanth, Sathyan and Jeeva.

"Aska Laska" song was catchy among others. Another combination of Shankar and Harris Jeyaraj has worked out very well.

A different Shankar's film, compared to his other films with technical boons, like with Enthiran, Boys.

"Nanban" -- A good film.

Nanban.. Though its a remake of the Hindi movie 3 idiots. This movie has its unique charm. This is really gonna be a treat for all vi jay fans. Shankar has handled all the casts well and good. Its exactly a replica of the original Hindi movie.. the screenplay,acting and most of the dialogs are just translated the same. except for a few punches. Sathyaraj has tried to imitate the same as in Hindi version, and it has came out good.Music for both BGM and Songs are good. Illeana mesmerizes with her cute looks.No Mass dialogs or unwanted songs or any acts that spoils the movie.For those who haven't watched the Hindi version, its gonna be a fun filled treat.... Really a good come back for Vijay and hope he's going in the right track now.Good Job Vijay and Shankar. My Rating----> 7.5/10

"Thalaiva.... You are Great..!!!" Nanban - A Fantastic movie. With all due respect to 3 Idiots and Aamir Khan, Illayathalapathi glitters with his performance. Couldn't have asked for more... A must watch for all those who missed 3 Idiots, others go there to watch Vijay & Co., succeeding in remaking a legendary movie. Shankar should be given credit for his grandeur in making something big -bigger, Harris improves by every movie - BGM good, Manoj Paramahamsa plays subtle and Anthony adds beauty to it, Jeeva - Humorous, Srikanth - sensible performance, worth watching Sathyaraj, S J Surya and Anuya.. Oh did miss Ileana..?? She's a diamond pendant on a Platinum string. Overall a wonderful movie, the 1st thought that strikes me is - my Tamil audience will have a quality movie to watch, cherish and celebrate this Pongal. All is Well.!!!

It has been many years since we saw a Vijay film sans heroism, fights and villains – a film that relies only on emotions, relationships and situations, where character is the hero. There was Jeeva of Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Kutty of Thulladha Manamum Thullum, Bhoomi of Kavalan, but they were still avatars of Vijay who are heroes in their own right. But the hero this time is Panjavan Paarivendhan aka Paari – the hero Vijay has completely got into the skin of the character that you forget the hero in him. He is your friend, your nanban. Literature The script of the movie done by Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi has been beautifully adopted for Tamil audience such that you don't feel anything alien in the whole proceedings. The dialogs written by Madhan Karky and Shankar are crisp, youthful and fit in exactly with the mood of the scenes. The speech of Silencer, which was much acclaimed in the original, leaves the audience ROTFL much talked about song lyrics, especially Ask Laska and 'All Is Well', are well brought out in the visuals. Lot of intelligence has been put into the film and it has paid off. Chemistry The chemistry between the lead pair, though they appear together for very few scenes and couple of songs is really cute and they really make a good pair. Their subtle love that runs along with the story is a delight to watch. But what makes a bigger impression is the chemistry between the lead trio – Vijay, Jiiva and Srikanth. It has worked out so well, otherwise we would not have been on an emotional journey with them for 3+ hours.

If there is a backbone that supports the whole film, it is Vijay's role as Panchavan Paarivendhan, which I doubt anyone else would have done with such utmost sincerity and at the same time fitting perfectly for the character. Having played many physically powerful mass hero roles and sweet romantic hero characters, he has shed all his heroism and image to underplay the role of a mentally strong genius. As a naughty student wishing to see a change in education system, caring friend who wants his friends to get the best out of life, romantic lover who locks his emotions, daring youngster to challenge his dean, novice helping his lover's sister to deliver a child – Vijay's role has a lot of dimensions to it and shines in each of it outstandingly. From an uneducated local mechanic to a college topper, everything comes to him with ease and all it requires is a skilled director to use it in a powerful script. And this time, everything has fallen into place which gives every fan the delight of watching Vijay in the role of a lifetime. Thalaivaa! You are great! To sum up, Nanban is one of the best engineered remakes. Disliking a film like this definitely prescribes you a doctor appointment for psychiatric cure. You see it as a copy, you copy paste your comments of hatred usually made for Vijay films. You see it as a remake, you will end up making only comparisons. You see it as a Vijay film, your bias on Vijay will alter your opinions. You see it as an entertainer, it gives you loads of entertainment, more than what you expect. It is a beautiful journey of life that every movie lover will enjoy.