Tweet

Late cinematographer-director Jeeva’s student Manigandan’s debut directorial ‘Chikku Bhukku’ is a high-fashioned flick with luxurious realms of technical aspects and boasts of some good performances by actors as well. The romantic travel on twin tracks proves an effective narrative tool in ‘Chikku Bukku’.

The tale of Chikku Bukku cuts itself into two different eras – 1985 and 2010. one that emerges from the pages of a diary dated 1985, and the other, the present, set in 2010 are juxtaposed in a fairly interesting manner.

The common factor in both the sojourns is Arya.

Arjun (Arya), a disco Jockey who leads a happy life in London with his grandma, is forced to come down to Karaikkudi to settle down his father’s property disputes.

Also there is Anu (Shriya), who completes her MBA too is forced to come to Madurai to meet her father who gets hurt in a mishap.

Unexpected situations bring Arjun and Anu together as they end up traveling together in a train with wrong identity in tickets. Caught red-handed for their conniving act, they are marooned halfway in a desolate station.

Meanwhile Arjun reads his father’s 1985 diary put by his grandma in his luggage and as reads it, the poignant love story of his dad Shekar (Arya again) unfolds. It is revealed that Sekar (Arya) returns to his village after getting selected as a Police.

He falls in love with Meenal (Preeta Rao). But when their romance comes to light, Sekar’s family resists as caste comes in between. A dejected Sekar leaves to Police Training.

There he gets acquainted with Ammaiappan (Anup Kumar), an innocent youth who is his colleague. He comes to know that Ammayappan is in love with his uncle’s daughter. Sequence of events reveals that both love the same girl Meenal.

Meanwhile cut to present, Arjun and Anu after crossing several hurdles in their journey reach their respective houses. Now they realise that they have fallen for each other. Meanwhile a twist in the form of Anu’s father ensures all well end’s well.

As Arjun, Arya sails through the role with ease — it isn’t a taxing part after all. But as Shekar, his eyes are admirably expressive — Arya emerges as an ace romantic here. And his make-over to suit the period is appreciable.

Shriya Saran as Anu is cute. Yet in his enthusiasm to create a bubbly heroine, director Manikandan makes the character go overboard in her reactions that she either looks sheepish or stupid most of the time.

Newcomer Preethika impresses with her exquisitely graceful looks. She grabs our attention through her innocuous nature, particularly with the scenes involving the school inspection.

Santhanam tickles the funny bone all right but that he makes no contribution to the story is a little disappointing.

Manikandan is vividly influenced by his mentor late director Jeeva’s insatiable passion for rich colorful visuals and locations.

Arya looks energetic, confident and his delineation as Sekar is effective. Watch out for his dance in title song ‘Chikku Bukku’.

cameraman R. B. Gurudev proves that he is from the late Jeeva’s school. Panning his camera in style he offers a brilliant visual treat. Lighting is a highpoint in many scenes. The locations, outdoor and indoor, exemplify Milan’s eye for artwork.

Choreographers deserve special praise and so does the costume designers.

Sluggish screenplay turns out to be one of the blatant minuses of this film.

If at all you feel the chug-chug slowing down at times it’s because you find certain happenings predictable. For example, when Arya Senior and his friend Ammaiyappan (Anup Kumar) begin to climb up the poles at the police training camp, you know what’s in store.

Praveen Mani’s background score could have been better.

V.T. Vijayan disappoints with loads of discontinuities between the shots. A smooth transition between the shots would have helped for better output.

Though Colonial Cousins Hariharan and Leslie have disappointed with their songs but for a couple of numbers – the title song Chikku Bukku’ and Zara Zara stand out.

The term Chikku Bukku is often related with the slow-paced steam engine trains. In all likelihood, the film often becomes slow-paced and better pruning would have speeded up matters even more.