Indru Netru Naalai

We have seen sci-fi films in tamizh. But, how many have succeeded in entertaining people? Many have failed to reach the masses either because of poor visuals or too much of science-talk which common people have no idea about. I am pretty sure dasavatharam tasted success because of the gripping screenplay and kamal haasan's attention to details while portraying 10 different characters and not because of the sci-fi genre. Enthiran was an instant hit because of the larger than life image which rajinikanth enjoys in tamizhnadu and shankar's portrayal of scientific advancements in robotics in layman terms. Many films like villa (pizza-2) have failed to reach all sections because of lack of connect with the audience as they justify each scene with science. Yes, one has to compromise. That's the tragic truth tamizh cinema faces while making sci-fi films. Which category does "Indru netru naalai" falls into? 
 

The film is realistic as it starts in 2065 unlike many other films where scientific advancements are always made by the protagonist and he spends 10 years without even shaving his beard in a closed lab. The director scores in the very first scene which is portrayed to be in 2065. The intro of the protagonist is innovative as the scenes unfold as recited by an astrologer-friend of his. Later the intro is justified by the astrologer-friend himself which also justifies the superstition behind astrology. The lead characters in the movie portrayed by vishnu and karunakaran get access to a time machine in the current day as the experiment of a 2065 scientist fails. Initially, they find a way to make money with it. But, in the process, they make a mistake which chases them and drives them into the biggest nightmare of their life. Their access to the past helps them to undo their mistake but everything comes with a price. The rest of the film is how these two come out of danger.
 

Vishnu plays his role to perfection. His choice of scripts has been amazing of late with mundasupatti and jeeva both turning out to be well appreciated by the critics. INN would be no exception. Karunakaran is a bundle of talent and this is a comeback for him after soodhu kaavum and yaamiruka bayamae. He is one comedian who can make you laugh with just a blank expression in his face. His timing sense works big time as the crowd erupts for his dialogues at few places. Mia George is okay looks-wise but plays her role aptly. There is always a mad scientist in every sci-fi film and the trademark follows in INN also. All the characters portrayed are apt except for the villain who goes overboard with his villainous expressions at few places. Hip-hop tamizha aadhi's music is a big plus and does disturb the narration in no way. His songs are mediocre but the different tempos of "indru netru naalai" song adds weightage to the visuals. Editing would be challenging in any time travel movie and this film has the best time travel between scenes.

The scene sequence for the time travel can be confusing as there are too many frames travelling between past and the present. But, the director stays on top of his narration and doesn't deviate much from the storyline. INN entertains in all aspects. The CG work for a low budget movie can't be any better than this - e.g. dog chasing a holographic bone in the first scene adds more sense to the ambience. Coming back to the compromise factor, the film does make some compromises to suit the tamizh audience. Dialogues receive applause at many places. The crowd roars for the mention of rajini as Hollywood actor. "Rajini ah? Yaar avar? Aangila nadigaro?"

Innovative scenes make the film gripping though the first half is one and half hours.

Producer CV Kumar's selection of scripts has made him the most promising producer in the recent times. His production house has handled a great variety of scripts with pizza and  soodhu kavvum going big reaching Bollywood. This film is a first of its kind in tamizh cinema and hasn't disappointed the viewers.
 

Indru nadanthathu netru varai nadakaathathu, naalai paesum indrai. Yes, this film is going to be talked about in the future. A must watch in theatres.