Vedi Review

Sometimes not expecting anything maybe the biggest plus point. In the case of Vedi, regardless of the track record from the cast/crew, its best not expect anything. Reason? The original film that this is remaking, Souryam. With all due respect to the original makers, Souryam wasn't exactly breathtaking. Yes, Vishal has garnered quite a few compliments from his successful Avan Ivan and Prabhudheva is shining strong with his remakes. But this doesn't mean they cant make a wrong move. So here's the gist of it.

Balu [Vishal] is appointed the new Phys.Ed teacher in the college Aishwarya [Poonam Kaur] studies at in Kolkatta and is told to meet her for a room to rent. However, her house is already rented out so she tells him to meet Paaru [Sameera Reddy]. After the usual song intro [with DSP doing a cameo] and some mildly entertaining mishaps, Paru is in love with Balu and we find out there is a bunch of goons searching for him. Beyond the obvious factors of no past , Balu's unusual emotional outbursts towards Aishwarya and any problems she has lead to a few questions. Who is Balu and what does a group of goons want him for? With the usual swashbuckling fighting frenzy and punchlines galore, we have the rest of the story.

Stepping back into commercialville, we have Vishal and in all honesty, this may not have been the best option for him. Remakes maybe on the order but not all of them are sure shot hits. In this case, all that expectation and admiration Vishal collected with Avan Ivan may have dampened the newborn fans' hope of some amazing acting. But that's not to say he didn't entertain. Sameera Reddy has finally had that commercial fun character that those in the Telugu FI have seen before. She is fun and out there, a complete contrast from her previous down played and somewhat realistic roles. Poonam Kaur is reprising a role she played in the Telugu original but there is very little reason given as to why as she disappoints in her limited yet crucial role. Shayaji Shinde is very verbal and has a ball playing the baddie with the comic streak but considering this is something he has done many a time in Telugu, there really isn't much to be said. And to say the rest of the cast comes and goes without leaving a mark, wouldn't be far from the truth. Even poor Urvasi couldn't do much in the comical cameo she has.

From the technical aspect, Prabhudheva is not in his element. Yes, he makes you laugh at times, but you neither feel the emotion nor have zest for the action. Yes, his material didn't leave for him to shine, but isn't that where directors differ from each other? Regardless of the story, they make a mark and show even an retold story can be enjoyable? Given Prabhudheva's success remakes, this hardly seems a viable reason to not show his technique. R.D. Rajashekar's camera is just about okay with V.T.Vijayan's editing requiring more diligence.

However, surprise surprise, Vijay Antony makes the music as a plus point the failed-to-please film, with Enna Achu and Ippadi Mazhai humming pleasantly and Bombay Ponnu dance-worthy (although condolences are in order for the lyricist Thamarai). Kadhalikka Pen Oruthi has the typical Vijay Antony touch but Andreah's vocal save it somewhat. 

Just like it was fun to watch Devi Sri Prasad groove on the screen, cameos and comic scenes may be ok for an one time watch but they are not enough to make one see the film again and they sure as hell dont make up for the rest of the film.

Rating: 1.5/5