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Director: Rama Murugapandian
Cast: Ponnambalam, Roshni, Mahanadi Shanker, Satyapriya, Kaka
Radhakrishnan.
 It is a film that has raised no expectations. In fact, one goes to view the film with a little apprehension. Not because the film is manned by a new team of technicians, and has artistes who are either new or little known. But mainly because, it has as its hero the gigantic Ponnambalam, who has played the villain's henchman in many a film, and the villain in a few. And Ponnambalam with his dark swarthy looks is far removed from the image of a conventional hero!
But surprisingly the film turns out to be an engaging entertainer, the artistes, like debutante Roshni, and Mahanadi Shanker, fitting well into their characters. It is neatly scripted, with a steady narrative pace, the tragic finale a suitable ending to the story.
Ponnambalam walking with long strides in the opening scene, where the villagers sing euologies to him does appear a little self conscious. But for the rest of the film, it is as if the role was tailor-made for the actor. He plays the title role of the tribal, held in awe by his tribesmen for his physical prowess, and loved because of his simple nature. Scenes like the man uprooting a coconut palm with his bare hands, winning the bullock-cart race against all odds, swinging his enemies high on his arms and throwing them away, single handedly breaking into his uncle's fortress-like bungalow, rescuing his cousin and marrying her, all enhance the image of the macho man. The scenes are believable, because it is a brawny actor who is performing them.
The actor has taken enough strain to emote the emotional scenes too. Bringing out fairly well his bonding with his mother, the concern for his pregnant wife, the fury directed against his uncle who had deprived him of his inheritance and destroyed his happiness.
A commendable effort by a new team.
Malini Mannath
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