Discovering love in Trisha Illana 'Nayanthara'

Trisha Illana Nayanthara starring GV Prakash Kumar is centred on a boy's coming of age romance.

COMPOSER GV PRAKASH Kumar has a distinguished body of music to his credit. So it was a surprise that he, despite his boyish looks, should step out into the limelight as an actor. His first film as a hero (earlier he had done forgettable and unnoticed cameos) was the horror comedy Darling that earned nightmarish reviews from critics.
Undeterred by the criticism, GV makes his return in a breezy adult comedy, fashioned in the likes of American Pie but, of course, with the Indian twist. We have GV playing Jeeva, a boy who discovers all the different stages of love - the crush, passion and all - through three women who walk into his life.
Director Adhik Ravichandran brings some intelligent twists to the tale that also includes the arrival of a love-guru, played by actress Simran, who makes a comeback to cinema. The film has been noted for the performance of Anandhi, who debuted in Kayal, who plays Ramya, the real love interest of Jeeva. But there is trouble in store as Aditi (Manisha Yadav), for whom Jeeva had a massive crush earlier, returns to his life.
It is the polar opposite characterisations of Ramya and Aditi - and their perceptions of what love should be - that gives Trisha Illana Nayanthara its emotional quotient. While one of them believes in fairytale romance, the other has no qualms about the next level in relationships and a streak of liberty in her. Trisha Illana Nayanthara does not seek to be anything else other than a breezy comedy; while the 'love-guru' sub-plot and all might make it look a bit stretched and over-the-top, as a fun film for youth, it doesn't dilute its boldness factor.
So there is something for every viewer, with the central narrative being an attempt to unravel the mystery of love.

• South Stars