Nanban Movie Review

Nanban after all the hypes and expectations that it has stirred, for it’s the remake of the Hindi blockbuster hit 3 idiots has finally released.

The eagerness built for the film, as we can clearly see is the combination of a cast and crew like having Shankar as the director for a remake film, Harris Jayaraj Music, Vijay Ileana, Jeeva and Srikanth starrer with the add on casting of Sathyaraj, Sathyan, SJ Suryah in important roles.

Well most of us know the story or atleast would have heard as it the remake of 3 idiots.

For the first timers here is a quick look in to the plot of the film. Vijay who joins an engineering college does not just change the fate of his two best buddies who he makes friends at the college campus (Jeeva & Srikanth), but gives a food for thought about changing our educational system and how it functions, in the most hilarious and a bit emotional way possible.

Nanban Story

The film starts with the present, when Srikanth gets a call to meet Vijay and Jeeva , through their batch mate Sathyan and then it goes on to their search for Vijay whom they don’t have touch for nearly 10 years.

The journey takes us to the flashback of how the three met in college and gets to know who the real Vijay is in the film. and how Jeeva and Srikanth marries Vijay and Ileana in the end

3 idiots has already proved to be a highly successful film when it got released in 2010 and had many souring moments that the audience just loved every bit of the movie. Be it the story, the fun elements, the acting, the music, what not was there that makes the film very bit enjoyable?

But the biggest challenge for the Tamil remake though it boasts of a good team, is if it has maintained that zest throughout the film.

It is but obvious that Nanban will have criticisms drawing comparison to the original, as 3 idiots has carved itself with a success formula.

Has Vijay, Srikanth, Jeeva and Sathyaraj done justice to the original characters portrayed by Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani respectively is the first question that arise in everyone’s mind, not to forget Sathyan in Omi Vaidya’s role.

Nanban Review

Vijay as Panjavan Parivendhan aka Pari has done his best. Definitely Tamil audience would love to see him in a college student role, with his usual style of nakkal and kindal.

Jeeva as Sevarkodi Senthil, the timid boy who makes complete transformations with the help of Pari has done a good job, which was enacted by Sharman Joshi in the original.

Srikanth as Venkatrama Krishnan, BE has done the role of Madhavan and his efforts not to copy and make his character lively is visible.

Vijay Ileana's pairing is also worth a mention. The two who have come together for the first time and Ileana who makes a come back of sorts in Tamil after a long gap has justified her role in this Tamil movie.

Ileana as Riya who is considered as the Medical Muniyamma, with voice help from Andrea Jeremiah has come out with a neat performance.

Sathyaraj and Sathyan's roles add a great plus to the storyline. Sathyan as Srivatsan aka Silencer and his on stage talk on the Teacher’s day scene is one to watch out for.

Sathyaraj has pulled the role of the college professor Virumandi Santhanam aka Virus role which Boman Irani had played in the original. His anger, mannerisms have also worked out in the Tamil remake.

SJ Surya’s small cameo as the real Vijay (Pari) whom Senthl and Venkatrma Krishnan meet is enjoyable. SJ Suryah in the role of Javed Jeffry was apt for the role we must say!

Other small characters would be Vijay Vasantha’s role as the student who commits suicide (though was not apt) was ok, while Manobala in a very small role as the librarian is good and Anuya as Ileana’s sister has done her part well too.

Anuya who has worked with Jeeva in Siva Manasula Sakthi interestingly is in this Jeeva movie too, but in an entirely different role and has portrayed her part well.

Rakesh in the role of Suhaas (Sanjay Lafont) as the one who is about to marry Ileana is also good. Rakesh role was played by the guy who played one of the mentally challanged guy in Deiva Thirumagal.

With Harris Jayaraj's music and Shankar director and cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, both the duet songs - 'Aska Lasku' and 'Irukana' are enjoyable watching them on big screen.

'En Frienda pola' and 'Heartiley Battery' are fun numbers, while 'En Kan Munne' and 'Nalla Nanban' are emotional slow numbers.

Irukana song comes in the climax which is an added song that was not part of the original 3 idiots.

Rating – 4/5

Verdict – All is Well. Definite Pongal entertainer for the whole family. Do not miss it, even if you have watched the original.

Catch the exclucive Nanban Making Video Below:

Cast

• Ilayathalapathy Vijay as Panjavan Parivendhan aka Pari aka Kosaki Pasapugazh ( as the scientist Vijay)
• Jeeva as Sevarkodi Senthil
• Srikanth as Venkatrama Krishnan BE
• Ileana as Riya aka Medical Muniyamma
• Sathyan as Silencer Srivatsan
• Sathyaraj as Virumandi Santhanam aka Virus
• SJ Surya as the original Pari
• Vijay Vasanth
• Anuya Bhagvath as Riya's sister
• Manobala as the Librarian
• Uma Padmanabhan
• Vincent as Millimeter

Crew

• Direction - S Shankar
• Producer - Raju Easwaran
• Screenplay - S Shankar, Madhan Karky
• Story by - Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra (makers of 3 idiots)
• Based on - Five Point Someone – What not to do at IIT! By Chetan Bhagat
• Music - Harris Jayaraj
• Cinematography - Manoj Paramahamsa
• Editor - Anthony
• Studio    - Gemini Film Circuit
• Release date - 12 January 2012

Nanban Songs List
'En Frienda Pola'
Lyrics -Vivega
Singers - Krish, Suchith Suresan

'Heartilay Battery'
Lyrics - Na. Muthukumar  
Singers - Hemachandran, Mukesh

'Asku Laska'    
Lyrics - Madhan Karky  
Singers - Vijay Prakash, Chinmayi, Suvi  

'Endhan Kann Munnae'
Lyrics - Madhan Karky  
Singers - Aalap Raju  

'Irukaanaa'
Lyrics - Pa Vijay  
Singers - Vijay Prakash, Javed Ali, Sunidhi Chauhan  

'Nalla Nanban'
Lyrics - Na Muthukumar  
Singers - Ramakrishnan Murthy