Lyricist Pa. Vijay to pay tribute to his long lost friend has made 'Gnabagangal' that has come out as an untouching memoirs of a heart with abounding lyrical ballad at every instance.

The beginning credits start with nostalgic touch about the last pages of his friend's diary that had a wish to become true which is revealed only at the end of the movie. With sheer shortage for professional actors ready to tacit roles without heroism, it's no wonder people from every other strata of the industry has ventured to become stars. Pa. Vijay's protagonist role is impeccably made for him and he is realistically believable as a National award winning lyricist on screen which largely represents his actual life.



Inspired from a personal diary, the story is about the writer himself named Kathiravan and his unconditional love towards a Marwadi girl Meera. The filmmakers claim to have rehashed scenes that actually had happened in the past between the couple. Kathiravan is a young aspiring lyricist who arrives at Chennai to stay with his friend and enter the filmdom. Along with his hunt for the right opportunity, he also comes across the house owner's daughter Meera and their acquaintance slowly develops into deep romance. Fate twists their life in the form of Meera's sister who tries to commit suicide for the sake of love and the enraged father arranges a double marriage for both his daughters. Meera departs Kathiravan after encouraging him to become the best lyricist and win accolades before they meet again. What happens when Kathiravan after wining the National Award meets Meera forms the finale.

Pa. Vijay has handled the Himalayan task of handling the story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics. Lyrics are his abode and in 'Gnabagangal' he has meticulously burned the midnight oil by writing more verses to express love than just simple dialogues. Without a doubt, he has done justice to the role of a lyricist with his natural talent and the screenplay is quite good. The scenes shift between past and present at regular intervals that keep the pace going. Heroine Sridevika is charming, fair and believable as the Marwadi girl.

Musical score by James Vick sheens in the theme music and just one of the song. Director Jeevan's work has been overshadowed with Pa. Vijay taking up the bigger piece yet he delivered whatever he could.

All these sounds good but the movie has a big loophole when it comes to the emotional part. Such a strong script with real life characters should have simply pulled us into the feelings of theirs but sadly it doesn't. Maybe it's because of the lack of space offered for the director to work with or Pa. Vijay was more engrossed in memoirs of his friend that he missed to bring it on screen. Throughout the runtime there exists a puppetry touch in the film with the most prominent lead characters lacking serious apathy. What should have touched the right chord when the lovers split and their reunion passes across as a mere scene without making a mark.

'Gnabagangal' has some good lyrical verses to express love and estrangement but doesn't move us emotionally.


Verdict: Is Not Emotionally Engrossing