Lingusamy is a past master at packaged entertainment. His latest Paiyaa is a road movie laced with mass elements and extraordinary songs picturised in a stunning manner. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.
Credible performances from its lovable lead- Karthi and Tamannaah make up for the plot holes that threaten to eat into this otherwise engaging ride. Technically it is Lingusamy’s best work enriched by Mathi’s eye-catching camera work, Antony’s crisp editing, Rajeevan’s exotic set designs and above all Yuvan Shankar Raja’s foot tapping music.
Shiva (Karthi) is a young man who is on the lookout for a job and he comes to Bangalore for an interview with a bunch of friends. He sees the pretty Charulatha( Tamannaah) at the bus stop ( a la Run) and falls hook line sinker for her. And much to his surprise, his dream girl who is in some trouble, mistakes him for a driver and asks for a ride to Mumbai.
Now both the people are on a journey from Bangalore to Mumbai and the rest of the film is how they bond, face challenges, realizes that the journey was more beautiful than the destination and finally fall in love. The film is all about the hero meeting his dream girl and how his past catches up with him on this road trip.
The songs of Yuvan Shankar Raja scorches just like the desert sun. The background score is perfect co-ordination with the narration. Yuvan’s music is the film’s trump card, with meaningful lyrics by Na. Muthukumar. All the five songs in the album are rocking, making it difficult to pick the best of the lot. We will say that Thuli, Thuli… and Adada Mazhada… are the more popular of the lot. Suthuthe Suthuthe… is a knockout, with terrific choreography by Sabeena Khan shot on a real beautiful set created by Rajeevan.
On the downside the film moves at a leisurely pace and the plot line is riddled with holes. In the second half especially when the couple reaches Mumbai the story plods along leading to a predictable climax. But if you are looking for just fun and entertainment Paiyaa is a jolly good ride.
