Starring: Jeyam Ravi, Kangana Ranaut, Lakshmi Rai, Nizhalgal Ravi, Anu Haasan, Jeyaram
Direction: JeevaMusic: Harris JayarajProduction: Mediaone Global Entertainment Limited
The late cinematographer turned director Jeeva unfortunately walked into God’s hands before Dhaam Dhoom was completed. We are not sure whether he would have screamed in delight looking at the end product made in his absence because Dhaam Dhoom which had enough potential to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller opens in high spirits raising expectations, and then fizzles out.
The Russian-mafia-framing-an innocent-Indian-doctor story opens with Jeyam Ravi leaving to Moscow on a 10 day medical conference, leaving behind his pretty village fiancée. One of his weakest moments lands him in bed with a stranger after getting drunk. Little did he know that he would wake up with her dead body and end up in a Russian jail for a murder offence that he did not commit.But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Lakshmi Rai, an Indian lawyer, agrees to defend his case and invites the wrath of the Russian mafia who had under the table dealings with the corrupt officials in the Indian embassy. Enough fodder for a thriller movie, you would think. But the screenplay is not taut enough.Jeyam Ravi plays the troubled doctor framed by the mean Russian mafia. He illustrates an anxious man caught in the drug deal conundrum in Russia and shifts to Pollachi often to put up a romantic face for his fiancée Kangana Ranaut. Jeeva cleverlyintercuts between Moscow and Pollachi, unfolding the story so that we are kept at least a little curious. The romance blossoming between Ravi and Kangana could have been done with more variation. Kangana herself doesn’t suit the South Indian village belle. And it’s not entirely because we are used to seeing her in skin tight jeans or micro minis. Still, her presence makes the proceedings in Pollachi interesting. Jeeva could have considered a role swap between Kangana and Lakshmi Rai. The latter sizzles even as she is supposed to play the curt professional who is caught in the web of smuggling drugs. A subtler and more interestingly done romance is the one that is hinted at between Lakshmi Rai and Jeyam Ravi. Lakshmi begins to grow attracted to him, and director Jeeva conveys this in an understated manner that gives the movie some class. The comedy that takes place in the village is funny in parts, and irritating in others. Jeyaram is in a role that will surprise you, and he pulls it off effortlessly, making us realize that Tamil cinema requires such stylish and no-nonsense characters.
Russia comes alive in front of our eyes, courtesy Jeeva’s cinematography which is brilliant and evocative of his unbeaten career. Many a times in the movie Harris Jayaraj proves to be a big plus – the songs, coupled with cinematography shot in remarkably breathtaking locations, make the viewer sit and take note, something the script and screenplay could not do. The Anbe, Anbe song is especially beautiful, and it is very possible that some in the audience will want to see this song sequence again. In the end, though, Dhaam Dhoom disappoints with its rather predicable climax. Try it if you are an ardent admirer of Jeeva or Jayaraj. Or if you just like seeing good looking but hollow Tamil thrillers.
Direction: JeevaMusic: Harris JayarajProduction: Mediaone Global Entertainment Limited
The late cinematographer turned director Jeeva unfortunately walked into God’s hands before Dhaam Dhoom was completed. We are not sure whether he would have screamed in delight looking at the end product made in his absence because Dhaam Dhoom which had enough potential to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller opens in high spirits raising expectations, and then fizzles out.
The Russian-mafia-framing-an innocent-Indian-doctor story opens with Jeyam Ravi leaving to Moscow on a 10 day medical conference, leaving behind his pretty village fiancée. One of his weakest moments lands him in bed with a stranger after getting drunk. Little did he know that he would wake up with her dead body and end up in a Russian jail for a murder offence that he did not commit.But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Lakshmi Rai, an Indian lawyer, agrees to defend his case and invites the wrath of the Russian mafia who had under the table dealings with the corrupt officials in the Indian embassy. Enough fodder for a thriller movie, you would think. But the screenplay is not taut enough.Jeyam Ravi plays the troubled doctor framed by the mean Russian mafia. He illustrates an anxious man caught in the drug deal conundrum in Russia and shifts to Pollachi often to put up a romantic face for his fiancée Kangana Ranaut. Jeeva cleverlyintercuts between Moscow and Pollachi, unfolding the story so that we are kept at least a little curious. The romance blossoming between Ravi and Kangana could have been done with more variation. Kangana herself doesn’t suit the South Indian village belle. And it’s not entirely because we are used to seeing her in skin tight jeans or micro minis. Still, her presence makes the proceedings in Pollachi interesting. Jeeva could have considered a role swap between Kangana and Lakshmi Rai. The latter sizzles even as she is supposed to play the curt professional who is caught in the web of smuggling drugs. A subtler and more interestingly done romance is the one that is hinted at between Lakshmi Rai and Jeyam Ravi. Lakshmi begins to grow attracted to him, and director Jeeva conveys this in an understated manner that gives the movie some class. The comedy that takes place in the village is funny in parts, and irritating in others. Jeyaram is in a role that will surprise you, and he pulls it off effortlessly, making us realize that Tamil cinema requires such stylish and no-nonsense characters.
Russia comes alive in front of our eyes, courtesy Jeeva’s cinematography which is brilliant and evocative of his unbeaten career. Many a times in the movie Harris Jayaraj proves to be a big plus – the songs, coupled with cinematography shot in remarkably breathtaking locations, make the viewer sit and take note, something the script and screenplay could not do. The Anbe, Anbe song is especially beautiful, and it is very possible that some in the audience will want to see this song sequence again. In the end, though, Dhaam Dhoom disappoints with its rather predicable climax. Try it if you are an ardent admirer of Jeeva or Jayaraj. Or if you just like seeing good looking but hollow Tamil thrillers.
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