Producer: Lingusamy N
Director: Ezhil S
Cast: Jayam Ravi, Bhavana
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
 
Hats off to the cast and crew of ‘Deepavali’ for bringing out a film that caters to young and old alike. This is a film that calls for everybody to sit down together, munch in some popcorn and relish themselves on the movie. Beside, here is a film with an entirely novel plot that doles out as an icing on the cake.

‘Deepavali’ overwhelms with its novelty. It is poles apart from all archetypal movies that are loaded with aggression and obscenity. It is tilted against a poignant love story, which is incredibly well scripted. Jayam Ravi and Bhavana are in the main leads and they enthrall the spectators with their splendid performance. Jayam Ravi in particular exposes his enormous forte by donning a very different role.

Jayam Ravi has been thwarted off with the contention that he only delivers hit for his home production. But with this flick he has fruitfully managed to fasten the mouth of all those naysayers. Director Ezhil has managed to squeeze out best performance from Jayam by giving him ample opportunity to deliver in this flick. As very often seen, female actresses hardly stumble on a chance to deliver performance-oriented roles. But Bhavana gets to play her lucky cards by donning off her role with great ease and élan. Great going for this girl from down South.

The story is that of a young lad Billu (Jayam Ravi) romancing beautiful young lass Susi (Bhavana). Billu is the son of Mudaliar (Vijay Kumar) who is much admired and esteemed in his vicinity. Billu loses his heart the very first time he spots Susi at a railway platform. Susi, who has come to Chennai all the way from Bangalore boards at one of her father’s accomplice Sait’s (VMC Haneefa) home. Sait, who has worked for Susi’s father Chidambaram (Lal), a crook, formerly, has mended his ways but maintain his reverence towards him nonetheless. Susi who has never come across such love and attachment earlier gets easily enticed by the integrity of the inhabitants of Royapuram. Cupid wavers his arrow and soon after Billu and Susi are love stricken. But an unexpected twirl of incidents turns the wheel of events.

One day when out in a café with Billu and his friends, Susi acts weirdly when she bumps into one of her old pal Revathy. Despite of her coaxing, Susi refuses to identify her. Feeling mortified, Revathy leaves the place in dismay much to the confusion of Billu and his friends. Susi is also jittered and leaves the place in haste.At this point, Susi finally divulges the truth to Billu. Susi happens to be afflicted with ‘post traumatic event amnesia’ that took place in an accident three years back. Billu empathizes with her and takes her to a physician who assures that she can be restored to health but after the surgery she will forget everything about her life post accident. This comes as a big blow to Billu.

Susi gets scared with the news and convinces Billu to vow that he will continue to love her whatever may happen. Billu agrees and pledges never to leave her. But Susi’s father Chidambaram enters into the scene and as a typical filmy apa, creates rift between the lovers. He sends goons to thrash Billu and forcefully takes Susi back to Bangalore. When Billu next goes to meet his beloved Susi, she is already cured and fails to recognize him. But as promised he continues to love her and inexorably tries to remind her of their days together. What follows next constitutes the rest of the story.

As the film is based in and around Royapuram, the dialogues are heavily loaded with local slangs that have been well delivered by the actors. The appearance of Raghuvaran adds to the spice of the film considering what a fabulous actor he is. The songs are mesmerizing. Yuvan not only creates magic with his music but all of them have been excellently screened as well that further adds to its charm. Songs like Kannan Varum Velai, Pogathae and Kadhal Vaithu should be especially mentioned in this regard. Art director Selva Kumar has done a laudable job. The dialogues are simple yet effective. Shankar Dayal moves the audience with his dialogues. Camera work by Vijay Milton and editing by Sasi Kumar are fantabulous. Kanal Kannan impresses with his stunts. Ezhil has proved with his directorial skills that he is here to stay. Lingusamy should be well credited for producing such a good movie. On a whole, a complete entertainer.