Young hero Vishwak Sen pinned a lot of hopes on his new film, Paagal. Being directed by a debutant named Naressh Kuppili, the film had its theatrical release today. Let’s see how it fares.
Story: After losing his mother at a very young age, a young guy named Prem( Vishwak Sen) starts searching for the same kind of true and caring love. In the process, he proposes 1600 girls but none of them accepts him. Out of frustration when Prem decides to commit suicide, a girl named Teera( Nivetha Pethuraj) enters into the frame and proposes to him. Who is Teera and what is her backstory? Why did she propose Prem? How is a politician named Rajeev Reddy( Murali Sharma) interlinked with Prem and Teera’s love story? forms the crucial crux of the film.
Performances: Vishwak Sen is energetic in his role as a young lover. His makeover as a romantic guy is good but he could have focused on presenting himself in a lean look which would have helped for the film.
Nivetha Pethuraj is beautiful on-screen but her chemistry with Vishwak Sen no so engaging and dilutes the proceedings in the crucial second half. Other heroines like Simran Chaudhary, Megha Lekha are okay in their supporting roles.
Murali Sharma did a decent job in the given role which has no proper justification. Jabardasth fame Ram Prasad and Rangasthalam actor Mahesh are not utilized as their roles fail to create an impact.
Technicalities: Music by Radhan is disappointing as none of the songs or the background score register. The cinematography by Mani Kandan is fine as he tried to capture outdoor locations neatly.
Editing work by Garry BH is not up to the mark as close to ten minutes in the second half can be trimmed to make things appealing. The production design is apt for the film’s genre and so is the case with the production values.
Analysis: Debut director Naressh’s idea of making a youthful romantic drama with Vishwak Sen is good but his presentation goes for a toss. After opening the film on mother-son thread, the director lost grip on the script which is clearly visible throughout the film.
After losing his mother, Prem becomes an orphan and there is no proper detailing about how he grows up and who will financially fund him. His childhood track with Nivetha Pethuraj’s character has also not been showcased in an effective manner.
The basic reason behind Murali Sharma’s character adopting Nivetha Pethuraj also has no proper establishment. Adding to it, Murali Sharma’s track with the hero will evoke good laughs initially but once the twist is revealed, his character seems to be unnecessary in the movie.
In one word, Paagal is a romantic drama that lacks interesting proceedings and gripping execution.