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!
