March 27, the holy Friday! 'Pattalam' under the banner of N.Lingusamy's Tirupathi Brothers Media Pvt Ltd opens with a bang of holy bells on the screen though there is not much fan-fare at the cinema hall during the inaugural show of the movie as usually was the case for the Tamil super-hit stars.

Not many super-hero films are for release on this day nor IPL T-20 league is on yet. Yet, the fact that the movie could attract only a moderate crowd at the theatre on its opening show is disappointing.

Of course, the crowd that thronged the cinema hall was not the "target pattalam" but those regular movie-goers that wanted to have a feel of the movie and reminisce their school-times. But it is examination time and one can expect audience response only as the days go on and vacation starts.

Dealing on a subject that requires utmost care when it comes to adolescence, director Rohan Krishna treads a cautious path like a cat on the wall in transforming his debut venture into cinema after directing the initial parts of a TV serial, 'Kana Kanum Kalangal'. One should say he had partially succeeded in it.

But it was a coup compared to earlier films on similar platter, 'Azhiyatha Kolangal' and 'Thulluvatho Ilamai', in the sense that the director has chosen a healthy approach by taking up sensibility with humor than sensation, though there were faint references to the latter, may be, due to cinematic compulsion.

Story writer Sheeba Krishna seems to have made attempts to cover all the aspects of the original, the most successful TV serial on the Star Vijay, but it is understandable that the task is not so easy given the limitations of time and plane. The story thus does not look wholesome.

Taking the same theme as serial, she had dwelt on the major issues of the school going teens with ease, and the director gave the subtle touch to the scenes and attempted to avoid the glimpses of a serial as well as conventional cinema. But both patterns were apparent on the screen.

Newcomers Arun, Kiruba, Sathya, Balaji, Vikas, Suresh, Hari, Vignesh, Guru and Irfan played the mischievous bunch of students of Holy Bells Higher Secondary School in which Nadiya is the correspondent Daisy, who also runs a mental asylum.

This is not the part of the serial and the reason for its inclusion in the movie is revealed in the climax where the disciplined student Sakkarai turns out a patient, the cause being 'love'. In fact, the director portrays the roll of the key student characters well but goes over the board while explaining the background of some of them - more cinematic, thus trying to be no different from other movie makers.

The newcomers (Hari, Balaji and Irfan have experience in the serial though) have justified their selection, which was through extensive screening of lots of aspirants. Nadhiya depicts the character beautifully, whether it be punishing the mischievous boys or dismissing the erring teacher.

Her role is exemplified when she breaks down at the inter-district schools athletics meet when the meet organizer embarrasses her following a group fight between her students comes out to public. That itself turns out to be a turning point to the film.

Arts and cinematography try to take out the trace of the serial and only adds richness to everything while the choreography by Brinda, Dinesh and others as well as stunt scenes depict conventional cinematic values. Many of the scenes could have been more realistic and natural as in the serial.

The plus point is that the film does not have hero/heroine orientation, no unnecessary fights or dances except for that duet song though faint it was. Only drawback is the film being dragged on the lines of episode-by-episode in the serial. They could have concentrated more on continuity factor.

Background score by Sabesh-Murali is fine but could have been a bit subdued. Nevertheless it is the order of the day in the movies. 'Lajjavathiye' from 'Four Students' Jassie Gift has composed good numbers like 'Pani Vizhum Kaalamaa', 'Ennil Nooru Maatram', 'Engiruntho Piranthom'.

That said, the film deserves an 'Average' rating.


Verdict: Average