Power Paandi

Pa.Paandi (2017):

Who wouldn't wait for a star hero's directorial debut.Dhanush's Power Paandi aka Pa.Paandi is one such project which raised expectations since it is announced.So how is it?

Plot:

Power Paandi is a story about retired stunt master Power Paandi (Rajkiran) living with his son Raghavan (Prasanna), daughter-in-law Prema (Chaaya Singh) and their two children Dhruv (Master Raghav) and Shaksha (Baby Chavvi). Power Paandi is a person who always gets himself into some social causes, in one such instance it becomes a policecase and his scolds him, then he decides to go for bike trip which leads him to his first love Poondhendral (Revathi).

Plus Points:

1)Raaj Kiran: Pa.Paandi is Raj Kiran's show all the way.His power packed performance is the best part in this predictable entertainer.He has this spark which makes us care for him in pity,pride,romance,comedy and action sequences.He excelled in role of Paandi and in action scenes too.

2)Direction: Dhanush may have chosen nothing special as his debut,his direction is flawless.He managed to garner attention from audience from scene 1 itself.

Minus Points:

1)Predictable narration: Even though the movie is entertaining,still it is so clichéd and predictable.The story of old person neglected by family and loved only by grand children is seen in lot of movies.

2)Flashback: Even though Dhanush and Madonna shines in this part,it is so boring and dragged beyond a bit.

So,Pa.Paandi is all about Raj Kiran's stellar performance and Dhanush's sensible direction.

My rating 7/10

Dhanush has brilliantly written and directed this family entertainer, adding yet another feather to his cap. Power Paandi which was later renamed as Pa Paandi (for tax exemptions), is the bittersweet story of a sixty plus, retired and widowed film fight master (Raj Kiran) who feels restless staying idle at home. His misadventures outside the home lead to arguments with his son (Prasanna). One day, he decides to leave home so as not to trouble his son and daughter in law anymore. He recalls his first sweetheart with whom he had an unfulfilled destiny decades ago. With the help of some bikers, he locates her through Facebook. He meets up with her (Revathy) and what happens next form the rest of the story. Dhanush and Madonna Sebastian appear as the younger versions of Raj Kiran and Revathy, and their performances are emotional and heartwarming. The background music and songs are excellent, especially 'Venpani malare' and 'Paarthen'. There is a sense of deja vu in the music, that reminds us of 1980s Ilayaraja soundtracks. Dhanush deserves accolades for putting together a neat presentation that is pleasing on all fronts.

Pa paandi is a moving tale of a man who feels something is amiss in his life an goes on an epic quest to find his first love.

While the story is simple the screenplay is very commendable. This movie almost entirely rests on the shoulder of Rajkiran Sir and he carries it exceptionally well. He is great in the role of a man whose life is stuck around a small routine but he wants to explore something more. Revathi mam is also excellent in the role of the long lost lover of Paandi. Although she is only in a cameo role, her role casts a long lasting impression.

The film touches many themes like Care of aging parents, Unfulfilled love, Compromise, Commitments, Passion and Life itself. It also takes us on a tour of life through the perspective of an aging man which is shown quiet beautifully in the film.

The direction of Dhanush vacillates sometimes but considering that it's his maiden directorial attempt, it looks pretty engaging. The film is also able to give a very beautiful message without being priggish. Music is pretty good especially i liked Paarthen song the most.

Editing is not that good especially in the second half the film goes on and on. Fight choreography is puny. Cinematography is average. The end portion where our lead suggests to start a new life with his lover together could have easily been ignored. It would have been better that way. Not every love story needs to be fulfilled. Ultimately it is left to an ambiguous fate. It would have been better if this plot point would have been ignored. It slightly turns the tone of the film into a pretty substandard direction.

But barring these few mistakes there is a lot to applaud for.

Overall a good movie which dares to be different as well as relevant for our time. Everyone should watch this movie to get a lesson or two. A satisfying experience....

It is good tasting mixture of feel goods. I cant believe that this is from a debut ant film maker. Movie deal very touching emotions of father and son. Romance, family emotions, action, adventure all these topics were nicely covered. Overall film is complete entertainer for the family

The directional debut film for actor Dhanush. After his father, brother, wife and sis-in-law, now it's his turn, but did he succeed! Well, no doubt that he's one of the finest actors of this era. Multi-talented, though this film was an above average. Seeing the characters and the message, it had potential, but too much traditional narration for commercial gain let it down. I mean it should have been a pure drama film without any songs and unrealistic fight sequences.

A famous ex-stunt coordinator, living happily in the twilight of his life with his son and his family. That's what he had thought until every time he ended up in trouble only to disappoint him. Then begins his soul search journey which lets us know his flashback and how the rest of the tale unfolds was told emotionally.

The narration splits into three and liked them all, but the third one was the best. Both, Rajkiran and Dhanush were good. The music was really a disappointment. One of the BG score was quite similar to the film '3'. Apart from stunts and music video, the rest of the film is what worth a watch. A decent direction, that he can still be a great director if try to give more realistic film for such a story. A rare film in Tamil. You won't see regularly a film about an old man. So it should be watched.

7/10