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Cricket is not merely a game but religion from the view point of Indians. Winning is the only thing for the buffs and they celebrate as if there is no tomorrow. No way they accept that losing is part and parcel of game as in life. Considered the mecca, Chennaiites eat, sleep and drink cricket. Any vacant space is good enough for the enthusiasts to place the three-stumps for all the ‘action’ to unfold in nook and corners. Tennis ball cricket is the in-thing for the boys when the big guns are firing on all cylinders at the international level.
Chennai 600028 is one such movie by actor-turned-director Venkat Prabhu. He has focused from the roots, capturing the essence of ‘gully cricket’ which in local parlance is the tennis ball equivalent. There is more to it than mere swinging of the willow. In the journey of a cricketer, there is passion, fun, friendship and a good deal of emotion-drenched moments. Prabhu relaying his message with great deal of sual conviction is the visual delight.
With all newcomers, Prabhu has dished out an engrossing tale streets ahead of the mundane contemporary films. Though the movie deals about cricket, it is no serious stuff like Lagaan or Iqbal. Fun, frolic and humour are in abundance, peppered with the commercial ingredients. The freshness has to be savoured. It is all about the clash of two local teams – Sunambu Kalwaa Sharks and Royapuram Rockers – are the fancied names. The former team has a score to settle with after the shattering loss in a tourney two years ago. The intense training begins for the Sharks unfolding on the way the hard facet of reality.
Karthick (Mirchi Shiva) is the skipper and the team’s star bastman. Off the field, he assists his brother, a local ganster. Keeping wickets comes naturally to Aravind (himself in that role). An employee of a coffee shop, he falls to the charms of model Swetha (Cristine), a regular at the happening place for the young at hearts. Pazhani (Nithin Sathya) is the team’s prominent batsman in the team. His sister Kalaiselvi (Vijayalakshmi) has a crush on Karthick. The Sharks are blessed with an unexpected windfall – Raghu (Jai), the strike bowler of Royapuram Rockers shifting allegiance. The countown begins. Will Sharks turn it around this time is the question in everyone’s lips. Eating an humble pie again to their arch-rival is something the supporters even shudder to think.
Shiva as Karthick is the apt choice, fitting in the role and performing with elan. Be it Aravind or Nithin Sathya, each one lives with the character. Stealing the show are Premji Gangai Amaren and Jai (music composer Deva’s son). At ease before the camera, they come out with flying colours.
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s youthful music is the life and soul. The catchy item number Saroja Saaman Nikalo is already a hit. Yuvan’s re-recording matches the spirit of the movie, taking it to dizzy heights. Sakthi Saravanan’s lens have captured the proceedings of a cricket match in a colourful manner. Produced by S P B Charan and Saravana, Chennai 600028 is a first ball straight six from the willow of Venkat Prabhu. The debutant should be on course for his ‘maiden ton’. Source:NewsToday.
