Saroja (2008) - * * * 1/2
Saroja is a movie for which I went with Zero expectation and came back as a fully satisfied viewer.Saroja has made Venkat Prabu in the league of successful directors after this consecutive success.This movie is a remake of Judgement Night an 90’s English movie starring Cuba Goodwing Jr.But I am sure only lesser population will be aware of the orginal movie.Saroja by is a neatly made movie copied from Hollywood comparing other movies.
Four friends Jagapathibabu ( Saran ) Ajay (Siva) , Ram Babu( Vaibhav),Ganesh( Premji) set out of Chennai in a Van to watch Cricket match in Hyderabad.When they find the roads were blocked due to an accident they take the alternate path to Hyderabad where they get tangled in a Kidnap drama of Saroja who is the daughter of Business man Prakashraj .Sampath and Gang who had kidnapped Saroja chases the Girl and the guys who rescue her.
First of all a great applause to the director VenkatPrabu.He has done it once more in a unconventional movie narration.He has taken clues from many movies but this one is enthralling and fresh for Tamil cinema.The movie is a technically definitive and superior when compared to many top notch high budgeted movies in Tamil.And of course it will treat audience for the Quality thriller which we were wanting for a long time.Movie has been crafted in a superior camera and characters which are humorous all the way through the movie.Its been a fantastic effort from the director who has given the pace for the movie in his effort spent screenplay which makes the movie stand apart among the recent releases.
The Movie’s entertainment would not have been possible with out Premji Amaran and Siva .The duo have done it again with the wits and dialogues they utter.Siva as a TV artist is impressive of the lot and he has a great timing for humour.The theatre erupts in laughter even during the intense chasing scenes because of this duo.SPB charan , Vaibhav and the new face Vega as Saroja is also impressive .PrakashRaj as father of Saroja has a very crisp role.Jayaram as the Police commissioner who assists Prakash Raj in finding his daughter has a role to play which he has done it with amazing style.
The van the guys start out is inspired from the Movie Little Miss Sunshine ,even the interiors were copied!!.The movie has some logical problems like the guys setting out to watch Cricket match to Hyderabad to Chennai in a Van??.But this movie even its inspired from the Hollywood movie this has the identity to cheer up the audiences .The movie entertains thoroughly with the oneliners and humour.Even the chasing scenes and the plot is well made till the climax and has a ending which can surprise any body .
VenkatPrabu watches many Hollywood movies its very evident and he has a good sense of humour .Both the things have helped him to make a much needed movie for the season.But I expect a fresh movie from him with out this borrowings ,But still for this season Saroja is a fresh and enjoyable movie.
Comments
I had praised the movie for making a decent copy from holly wood.Yet the comedy sequences were funny though from Siva,I loved siva than premji.I dont want to call it an attempt as its a full fledge movie ...As we know many stories in hollywood like this,this is one movie which created the scene and thrill to keep the momentum going till the end.Yeah high expecatation onthis would have let u down...Still I wouldnt agree it as a lousy movie...:)