Legendary film maker Mani Ratnam is back with yet another romantic entertainer OK Kanmani. Starring Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen in lead roles, this film has hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

Story

The movie OK Kanmani is said to be a sequel to Mani Ratnam’s earlier Alaipayuthey (2000), which deals with the problems persisting in marital life. Earlier Mani’s Mouna Ragam (1986) dealt with the subject of a girl forced into arranged marriage by her parents, and the life thereafter of the couple. Both the movies were brilliantly dealt by Mani showcasing the sensitivity of every nuance in life. None can beat this master-storyteller indeed!

Now OK Kanmani is all about urban love story set in the backdrop of Mumbai. It is about people living independently away from home – free from all the rules and regulations of family. The film takes a look on the new generation, their attitudes, their values, their traditional beliefs and the conflicts thereof.

Ok Kanmani revolves around two different sets of characters, the discords, the understandings, and the changes that transform them. It, in fact, deals with the subject of live-in-relationships. Mani Ratnam has proved once again that he has mastered the art of storytelling on celluloid dealing with such sensitive subjects.

To get into the actual story, Dulquer and Nithya are ambitious individuals who want to go abroad and settle in life. They meet and fall in love. Without any commitments or promises they decide to live together. But they land at the crossroads of their life when the time comes to take a decision for them to continue their live-in-relationship via marital status. Would they get into wedlock or go their own ways as if nothing happened between them?

Performance

Dulquer Salmaan: This handsome actor is a promising talent and watch 'OK Kanmani' to know why! His screen presence and ease of acting is an asset to the movie. Even Nani's dubbing for him worked so well.

Nithya Menon: She is exceptional and a delight to watch. Its amazing how she manages to keep the audience hooked to the screens every time she appears in a frame. This Short Sensation doesn't need lengthly/powerful dialogues to do that, but her expressive eyes does the magic. Nithya holds the film together with her brilliant performance and her chemistry with Dulquer is magical.

Prakash Raj gives yet another matured performance. Leela Samson who played PR's Wife is equally good. Rest of the cast were adequate.

Plus Points

PC Sreeram’s camera work is splendid. Right from the word go and till to the end, PC Sreeram’s cinematography gives you a feeling of pleasantness. Mani Ratnam deftly handled the movie in his inimitable style.

Minus Points

AR Rahman’s composition fails to impress the audiences. Even background score was seen out of sync with the movie. Sadly, first half just drags while the second half brings the movie to life.

Technical

Surprisingly, the first half might test your patience a little as even the lead characters look childish in the name of cuteness and it feels as if the famed director has made a few scenes look artificial trying to show today's youth. The movie begins to look good only just before the interval and gains pace in the second half as it advances to a convincing climax.

Background score by AR Rahman sounds hollow at times as he allows silence to take over for a couple of scenes. However, as the movie progresses, you are able to feel his magical score.

Major positives of OK Kanmani  are PC Sreeram's cinematography and Sreekar Prasad's editing. The veteran cameraman has taken cinematography to the next level by using angles never seen before in Tamil cinema.

Analysis

Final Word

The film can be called as a prequel of Alaipayuthey with all the elements required to entertain today's young movie goers. OK Kanmani is more than just OK.