Social messages and connecting back to the history are two themes that have awed movie makers of this part of the country. Murugadoss, once again finds his path in the same. Well done this time to kindle the curiosity in you and provoke some native jingoism. We have seen that in plenty in the past of Tamil cinema, thankfully this time, its not the loud war-cry-kind of jingoism but done in its subtle way. However that said, 7aum Arivu is loaded with the 'templated movie formats' needed to appease all classes of audience as the movie circuit popularly puts it.
7aum Arivu starts of brilliantly connecting back to history as how Bodhidharma went past Tamilnadu, past India to China to preach medicine and self defense, two most important elixirs. And then how centuries later, the Chinese attempt to use the same against India and thrawt the very roots of it. Thoughts of a bio-war and Tamil oppression in the movie gives that tinge of the current political undercurrent prevalent, Murugadoss scores here. Long story short, no spoilers, Aravind is in the line of progeny of Bodhidharma and Subha the research scholar trying to prove that DNAs carry hereditary characteristics of ancient forefathers and hence the DNA of Bhodidharama's descendants may have the immense sense of healing and protection, which if invoked is of great benfit to mankind. Of course the Chinese unhappy about this pursuit, the economical intentions that are revealed later, have their martial arts specialist Dong Lee on a mission to end the research of Subha and naturally begin the bio-war against India. Now why just India? Thats leaves you pondering, maybe the subtle political undercurrent between India-China.
Suriya is a treat to watch. Graceful as Bhodhidharma and stylish as Aravind, you can't ask for more from this professional. Doubt if anybody else could have pulled of this with such ease. Shruti has her part pretty well played as Subha. Women playing significant roles in a Murugadoss movie doesn't surprise us and naturally deserves due apperciation. The stone-cold bad man,Johnny Tri Nguyen from China does his part neatly. His stunts are probably the only note-worthy martial arts expo in the movie. Songs are catchy, well placed and passes on with the movie. Ravi K Chandiran leaves his magic behind in the songs as usual. With that said, the movie though kindles your curiosity to go google and run thru wikipedia to ascertain facts and fiction, the movie leaves you with the big lows of the typical format-movie problem. The stunts are thoroughly disappointing. A movie about a martial arts legendary with no spectacle of martial arts is on the downside. Peter Hein's trademark flying cars and human bodies are plenty and leaves a sore in the mind.
A great storyline, a subtle jingoism, good performances from Surya and Shruti and a few here and there 'so-called-appease-all' movie making style,leaves you wanting a bit more from Murugadoss, maybe he has reserved it for the Hindi version with Aamir Khan if he does one. :) 7am Arivu, a neat entertainer, picks your thoughts at places and leaves you wanting for more at certain others.
