132. Naan Sirithal; movie review

NAAN SIRITHAL
Cert 12A
136 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, bloody images, suicide references

I am afraid I grew out of Jerry Lewis-style slapstick when I was ten years old so I was always going to struggle with Naan Sirithal.
Not that Raana's film benefited from anyone with the comic timing or lure of Lewis despite its central character's laboured attempt to elicit empathy.
Unfortunately, Hiphop star Adhi Venkatapathy became irritating long before the movie's two hours and 15 minutes were up.
Venkatapathy, aka Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi plays Gandhi - a young man afflicted with the inclination to burst out laughing during the most serious situations.
Indeed, the film's hook is him being interviewed on TV about some terrible scrapes because of his inappropriate giggling.
These range from struggling to win over the family of his girlfriend (Iswarya Menon) to being beaten within an inch of his life by a local crime lord (K. S. Ravikumar).
The latter had falsely believed that our hero has been sent by his rival (Ravi Mariya) and so he becomes embroiled in the battle between the two.
The joke wears thinner the longer the movie goes on and the more ludicrous the fixes his chortling drops him in.
Thankfully, there are some saving graces to naan Sirithal.
One is the earworm soundtrack which Aadhi and musical collaborators have composed.
Indeed, there is one vibrant tune and routine which takes place in Gandhi's neighbourhood which is especially well-executed.
And it has to be admitted that the unusual addiction to laughter might at least mean that Naan Siruthal remains in my consciousness longer than many recent releases.

Reasons to watch: Unusual comedy
Reasons to avoid: Not as funny as it is trying to be.

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Adhithya "Adhi" Venkatapathy, aka Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi is part of a duo who were the pioneers of Tamil hip hop.

The final word. Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi: “For my first two films, I acted as myself which was not very difficult. But in this film, I am required to act as someone else which is much more tricky."

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