“If money can give all the happiness in the world, I would be the happiest,” states Nagarjuna at a crucial point of the movie, Thozha. Directed by Vamsi, Thozha is an adaptation of the popular French film, The Intouchables and the above quoted dialogue is the best one line description to this feel good film starring Karthi, Nagarjuna and Tamannaah in the lead.
If one actor can give his best and consequently touch the viewer with his performance using just facial expressions and dialogue delivery, then you are talking about Nagarjuna of Thozha. Though his Tamil accent sounds slightly foreign, his characterisation saves the overall feel that the character is trying to radiate. Karthi plays his role of a fraudster turned good doer well by almost mastering the Chennai Tamil slang and body language. On the other hand, though Tamannaah's character has minimal scope in the tale, she makes sure not to overdo any part and understands the demand well. Mentions to Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Anushka, Shriya Saran are due for their sincere work irrespective of the leeway their character holds. The fact that we might not get to see late actress Kalpana again, makes one more attentive while she appears on screen and she does not disappoint us.
There are few high points in the course of the narration of this film that is sure to bring a smile of agreement/contentment/realisation to the viewer according to their past/present life experiences. As the story revolves around the pivotal character of Vikram (Nagarjuna) all these high points are also based on him. Philosophical takes established through dialogues about friendship and life needs to be appreciated. Funny moments between Karthi and Prakash Raj will make you roll on floor and laugh (ROFL).
PS Vinod yet again shows what a camera can do beyond just capturing actions. The portions canned in Paris is a real feast to your retina. Computer graphics could have given a better output in the small instances they were used. Seamless cuts from Praveen KL’s desk make sure to not distract the underplayed high the film is feeding you with. We must give it to PVP cinemas for the production value and the packaging quality of the content.
If all the songs in the album gave the same feel as the title track ‘Thozha’ it would certainly have attained the tag, ‘A Gopi Sundar musical’. In a genre like this the orbit for music is wide, but in case of Thozha, you might feel it wasn’t utilised completely.
Thozha is a simple story of a bed ridden middle aged man and a free spirited young man. Does the difference in their lifestyle, age, physical condition come in between the bonding they develop? Watch the film and learn that!