NSM

Action thrillers are one of the most sought out genres among the Tamil audience, for if they are coupled with a strong theme and proper execution, will go on to strike gold at the box office with high audience satisfaction. The Tamil New Year weekend sees Vishal's Naan Sigappu Manithan gracing the screens, as the hunk joins hands with Thiru for the third time after TVP and Samar. With Lakshmi Menon as the female lead, NSM has Jegan, Sunder Ramu, Saranya and Jayaprakash among the starcast. GV.Prakash takes care of the music, while camerawork is by Richard M.Nathan.

NSM begins in style as Vishal is introduced as a man who wants to fulfil 10 specific desires in life. The flashback portions reveal that Vishal is a patient of a neurological sleep disorder called narcolepsy, right from his childhood days. The first half runs across as Vishal fulfils his desires one by one, with equal importance given to each of them. With only one desire left, an unfortunate incident takes place in his life. What happens from there-on, and how does Vishal solve his problems with the narcoleptic hurdle is what Naan Sigappu Manithan is all about. Take my words, and run to a theatre to find out the answers.

Talking about the performances, it is pretty hard to point a chiding finger at any of the characters involved. Vishal is at his best when it comes to action movies, he is no less here. Playing the role of the narcoleptic patient to near perfection, this is one of his performances which he can be proud of. Lakshmi Menon, in her all new makeover looks slim and trim, and emotes well too. Her acts at the interval scene are clap worthy. Jegan's comedy works bringing out instant laughter at apt places. The rest of the cast, including Saranya Ponvannan, Jayaprakash, Sunder Ramu, Iniya and the villains are adequate. Iniya deserves a special mention for creating an impact in a fairly limited space.

Richard M.Nathan's camera catches hold of the happenings in lustrous fashion. He must be lauded for the use of handheld and rigged cameras at various places to provide a different angle. Editing by Ruben is good, although the second half could have been cut down a little to raise the level of excitement. Stunts are an important aspect for a film in this genre, and NSM scores well in that area.

GV.Prakash's music doesn't create the much needed magic on screen, except Yelelo which is creatively picturized. The BGM, although fitting is an arrant rip-off from the Hollywood shelves.

The biggest asset of NSM is Thiru's screenplay which keeps you engaged till the very last frame. Though the film does take a plunge when it comes to mentalities in the second half, it never loses grip over the main quotient. The childhood episodes and the college scene in the first half are clever, as even the love portions are well entwined around the narcolepsy factor. Packed with twists and turns, Thiru's notion to stick to the basics and avoid heroism are a huge positive. Credit goes out to him for canning the intense scenes with an aim which isn't harrowing.

With a little more care in the second half, NSM could have scaled a greater height. Nevertheless, it is a saleable commercial thriller with all the elements you'd ask for, backed by a promising screenplay. NSM is a career boost for Vishal, and undoubtedly Thiru's best till date. Go book your tickets, you won't be disappointed. And I'm not lying. 

Verdict : Vishal sleeps, you dont.

3 / 5