Kalloori

This is not the college that one sees in usual Tamil cinema. It is a very realistic college without mask or figment of imagination.

Rich man's daughter Tamanna joins the local college for higher studies; Akil is the son of a stone cutter; Hemalatha is one of 5 daughters of an auto driver; Alex is a rich boy who gets married during his college days itself.

Coming from various luxurious and poor backgrounds, these 4 are friends in college. They vow to remain steadfast friends till the end, but at one stage, Akil and Tamanna fall in love with each other.

Does that mean this is a love story? One can say this is something more than that. There is no particular hero or heroine label to anyone in the film and this becomes evident as the film progresses.

In the 2 ½ hour film, there was plenty of opportunity to show the pretty Tamanna in glamorous scenes, but credit goes to director Balaji Sakthivel for exercising restraint.

"I will never forget the help you have given me as long as I live. That's how much respect I have for you," says Akil and forms a reason for Tamanna to fall in love with him. The director's soft touch is evident here.

When they go for a college mate's wedding, the music group asks Tamanna to sing. One could have just used a dream song or a remix in this place. But neither happens. Tamanna sings an old song "un paarvayil oraayiram…" to convey her love to Akil. Not liking that, he walks away but the song continues to chase him through speakers set up all over the place, making for an interesting screenplay.

Tamanna In getting angry and then making it up to her friend Tamanna, Hema has done a great job of showing what friendship is all about.

All characters including Barani who speaks Madurai slang and the twins who conduct debates, are impressive.

Since dialogues are very natural and not written with intent to sound clever, we don't feel as if we are watching a film, but feel rather as if we are also students along with them. Director Balaji Sakthivel deserves kudos for breaking cinema formula traditions.

Joshua's background score and natural cinematography by Chezhian are like two arms for the director's work.

Balaji Sakthivel is responsible for certain situations now and then that bring the tears welling up into your eyes in this 'Kalloori.'