Director Rasu Madhuravan's 'Mayandi Kudumbathar' made to revive the value of familial relationships and the need of brotherhood in life comes out as a melodramatic endeavor that smells of the native soil in almost every frame.

Directing talented filmmakers not one but ten of them on the sets would sure impose responsibility and exert abounding pressure. Yet Madhuravan supported by a script that is inspired by real life incidents has shouldered the job efficiently. Rather than an innovative approach, the ace and realistic performances of all the actors (directors) seems to be sending a warning message for stars out there who are dwelling big time on their stardom. Set in a rural backdrop the nativity appeases with real life characters possessing natural characteristics such as affection, love, hatred and selfishness.

Mayandi (Manivannan) loves to be in familial relationships and tries hard to keep his kinship close to everyone without tussles. His four sons Thavasi (Ponvannan), Virumandi (Seeman), Cheenisamy (Jagannath) and Paraman (Tharun Gopi) stick together in their brotherhood fights whenever their arch rival Mayandi's brother Virumandi (GM Kumar) comes into their path. Virumandi and his sons Sokkan (Ravi Maria), Chinnu (Nanda Periyasamy) create fights without a reason with vengeance etched deep in their minds. Another mentally challenged but soft hearted son Mayandi (Singam Puli) associates himself with their rival's family mingling in their every occasion. Amidst this issue, Paraman handles his love affair and marches his way to realize his father's dream by completing his engineering studies and then to unite the family.

The crux of the story revolves around Tharun Gopi's character and the first time hero has come out with a laudable performance. But his not-so-matching voice lets down the strong emotions that he tries to convey. Rather than like directors, Ponvannan, GM Kumar and Ravi Maria are all seasoned actors already. Newcomers Seeman, Jagannath and Nanda Periyasamy are good. Singam Puli is the man who steals the show with his comical dialogue delivery and humorous body language. Sabesh 'Murali's musical score rendered some captivating melodies but why flick the Hindi Om Shanthi Om's theme music? Cinematography by Bala Barani and editing by Suresh Urs delivers what is needed.

The director has made a decision to make familial movie sans vulgarism and gravity defying stunts. But if we keenly notice the film for every 10 minutes one or the other character will be melancholically crying over a loss or happiness and mostly as a form of emotional outburst. If crying is the forte audience could opt for the soap opera in television. Ever since the new trendsetter movie came every auteur is designing the love sequences in the same style. Lovers speaking with their eyes during festive occasions and contrived meetings are the favorite of the masses in the 80s which is being revived now for no reason.

On the whole, there are quite a few shortcomings that overshadow the better part of the movie. Incidents that lead to tussles are not profound and once again the lengthy dialogues in the end change the heart of the rival. Largely relying on the host of actors, music and script director Rasu Mathuravan has missed the bull's eye in envisaging the depth of the movie. We cannot associate ourselves with the characters nor with their fervent emotions while watching the movie.

In a nutshell, 'Mayandi Kudumbathar' is made to etch the importance of relationships that has made little impact due to improper
characterizatio

Verdict: Just an average watch