One for the family

Dhanush's Thanga Magan is tailored to appeal to all sections of the audience.

In Tamil Nadu, actor Dhanush's Thanga Magan has trumped both Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani in box-office collections on the opening weekend. Whether it will continue the dream run is debatable given that the film has opened to mixed reviews but if you like Dhanush for his versatility and earthiness, and if you revel in cinematograph-director Velraj's mastery of craft, Thanga Magan will give you enough reason to cheer.
Following the success of Velai Illa Pattadhaari (VIP), Thanga Magan has the trio of Velraj, Dhanush and composer Anirudh joining hands again. As Thamizh, Dhanush does what he does best of late - the miraculous transformation from the boy-next-door to a responsible family man who must go through a series of setbacks and tragedies.
Velraj, indeed, likes the 'coming of age' angle that he deftly handled in VIP. While there are elements of the movie in Thanga Magan too, what comes to the film's rescue is how Dhanush effortlessly brings a touch of novelty to his performance.
Also starring Amy Jackson and Samantha, the film is firmly rooted in a socio-economic milieu that people can relate to and it also packs in what almost always works in Tamil films - restoring family honour. Here it is up to Thamizh to restore the pride of his father - and how he does that battling odds makes the movie hugely enjoyable in parts.

• South Stars