Everyone calls Thiruchirthambalam (Dhanush) who delivers food as Balam. Without any ambitions, his life goes on naturally with his eponymous grandfather Sr. Thiruchitambalam (Bharathiraja), his disliked police officer father Neelakandan (Prakashraj) and childhood friend Shobana (Nithya Menon). Meanwhile he falls in love with two women. When they fail, what does he do next, and how does the father he doesn’t like become his favorite?
‘Trichiritambalam’ beautifully tells how a simple story can be turned into a powerful one by an interesting screenplay. Although it is a predictable ending, we can congratulate director Mitran Jawahar for his fresh ideas and the right use of talented actors, who make us sit through two and a half hours. Even the sub-plot, which is placed to overcome Dhanush’s fear, adds strength to the film.
Dhanush has played the same character in this film as he has already acted in some films. He presents the original boy-next-door with no heroism, from teasing his grandfather and his advice to companionship, jovial banter with his girlfriend, conflict with his angry father, and the heartbreak of a rejected love. He proves that he is an accomplished actor through small gestures at many places.
It is childhood friend Nithya Menon who carries the entire film. His scenes turn out beautifully. In his friendship with Dhanush, there is realism without cinematography. If the pet jokes and small laughs he makes without showing it while harboring a desire in his heart are enjoyable, the companion who is always present is disturbed when he leaves.
In the absence of women, Bharathiraja reminds us of a retired, happy grandfather in a men’s house where the work is divided. His body language between son and grandson and his mannerisms which make the grandson understand life are also special.
Prakash Raj, the grumpy father, is moving in a scene where he apologizes to his son without trying to exaggerate his disability. School ‘crush’ Rashi Khanna who says ‘Darling, you have misunderstood me’ and asks, ‘Why do we have to be in Dutch?’ Priya Bhawani Shankar of the village, who asks that, is not too busy, but they are still there.
In Anirudh’s music, ‘Taikhilhavi’ makes you dance. The song ‘Megam Karukada Pennenepenne’ and the dance to it are mind-blowing. Om Prakash’s cinematography pulls the story beautifully.
The reason for the ten-year feud between father and son is not strong. This feelgood ‘strength’ would have been even stronger if the missed continuity had been fixed in some places, including the unnecessary padding of the grandfather and grandson drinking scenes.