Tamil star Suriya returns this year with his first huge
release, 24. Directed by Vikram K Kumar, who made the engaging Manam , this sci
fi thriller is about time travel. Scary premise to make, of course, but kudos
to the makers for trying something different. And making sure the film stick to
the theme, there by bowling us over in the process. Sethuraman, played by
Suriya, is a brilliant scientist who
creates a watch that could manipulate time. He calls it Project 24. However,
his twin brother Athreya (Suriya, again), a dreaded don, wants the watch for
himself, and therefore attacks his brother, killing his wife in the process.
Sethuraman escapes with his infant baby, with the villain close on his heels.
Knowing that he has no escape, Sethu leaves his baby and his watch in a
protective cover with a lady he meets on a train. Athreya catches up with his
brother and kills him, but gets incapacitated in the process and goes into a
coma for 26 years. Meanwhile that infant boy grows up to be a strapping young
watch mechanic Mani (of course, Suriya), who, one fine day and a series of
coincidences later, open that box containing the watch. Having his father’s
intellect in his genes, Mani soon understands the magic of the watch. He begins
to manipulate time to his advantage, especially in hatching a romantic plot
with pretty girl, Sathya played by Samantha. However, Athreya wakes up from his
coma and comes looking for the watch that could help him regain his lost youth.
Thus begins a brilliant game of chess between the similar looking protagonist
and antagonist with time travel as their chessboard!
24 is one of the best thrillers and time travel film made
in India. Vikram K Kumar’s taut direction and his defiance in not making his
hero a superhero! The screenplay is tight at most times, and tends to surprise
you at crucial junctures, especially the interval and the climatic portions.
The film splendidly handles how the hero and the villain manipulate each other,
baffling you at times. Ofcourse it has shades of British film About Time and Mr.
India, but you can easily overlook that. 24 has enough moments of romance,
comedy and family drama, without letting them overshadow the main narrative.
The technical value of the film is top notch, with special mention to the
cinematography and the VFX team. 24 is a Suriya show all the way! The actor is
back in form after a disappointing Massu, and he brilliantly handles all the
three distinct roles without any hiccups. Samantha may just be the
quintessential arm candy, but she enacts her portions with aplomb. This film is
for Bollywood to remake it in Hindi, of course with Hrithik Roshan.
