Parijatham

Cast: Prithviraj, Saranya, Prakashraj, Seetha, Sarath Babu, Roja, Mano Bala
Language: Tamil
Banner: Smrithi’s Silver Screens
Director: K.Bhagyaraj
Producer: Manjula Sathish
Camera: A.Venkatesh, S.Kumar
Story: K.Bhagyaraj
Screenplay: K.Bhagyaraj
Dialogue: K.Bhagyaraj
Music: Dharan
Year: 2006

Bhagyaraj’s Parijatham is the cute feel-good fun film that you were waiting for. No blood and gore, no larger-than-life screaming hero, No villains, No crass comedy, No item numbers or trademark double entendres dialogues that Bhagyaraj is famous for. Just plain vanilla story telling of a Cinderella romance with lots of humour and is bang on target- family audience.

Parijatham is a triumph of good, clever screenplay and smart packaging by the master storyteller Bhagyaraj. His daughter Saranya who debuts as heroine has been given a tailor-made role which suits her to a T. And dad has been successful in hiding her weakness and playing up to her strengths. Pritviraj looks sensational, an absolute delight and his comedy timing is terrific. A major highlight of this love story is debutant music director Dharan’s songs and the background score.

Sumathy (Saranya) is the domestic help in a huge bungalow recently purchased by Sita (Sita) and her businessman husband Santhosh (Prakash Raj). Sita comes first to set up the house and in 15 days Sumathy’s petite and charming nature attracts her attention. She decides that Sumathy is the right bride for her only son Surendar (Pritviraj), but she keeps it as suspense from the family. Suddenly Sita dies in a freak accident creating the twist in the story. Now Surendar wants to fulfill his mother’s last wish and takes the help of Sumathy! Sumathy does not want to reveal her true identity till Sampoornam (Bhagyaraj), Surendar’s friend and well-wisher unravels the truth in the climax at the wedding of Surendar!

Saranya reminds you of her mother Poornima in some angles. She suits the role and is impressive, though the young actress has to check her weight if she is here to stay. After doing mature roles in Malayalam, Pritviraj has finally gets to play his age and he exudes lot of energy and mirth into his role. In marginal roles, Prakash Raj, Sita, Roja and Bhagyaraj leave an impact, while Ilavarasu and Madan Bob takes care of the comedy department.

New boy Dharan’s songs are peppy, merged beautifully into the proceedings are a highlight. They are shot in stylized way by cameraman A.Venkatesh. The “Unnai Kandaene…" number choreographed by Brinda stands out for its melody and the way it is shot using freeze technique in the rain is impressive. The “Oru Nodi Iru Nodi…” has been blended well with aesthetically done up sets and Switzerland locations.

In a nutshell, Parijatham has an elegant charm and has a straight-from-the-heart feel about it.

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