- Film : Charulatha
- Producer : Ramesh Krishnamoorthy
- Director : Pon Kumaran
- Star Cast : Priyamani, Skanda, Saranya Ponvannan, Seetha, Sai Sasi and Aarthi...
- Music Director : Sundar C Babu
2.75
Priyamani is on a hunt for another national award with her stellar performance in Charulatha. She portrays for the first time in the Indian Tinsel world as conjoined twins. And excels in her performance being contrast in emotions. Could be similar for the actor as a double act endeavor. But from the viewers point of view it is awesome. This trilingual film releases across south in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
Other Ratings
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Deccan
2 We have seen double -
The Times of India
3 Chaarulatha could -
BharatStudent
1.5 A poor remake -
Rediff
3 A film on conjoined
Story
The story revolves around two girls in the same body and their emotions when they fall for the same man. The conjoined twins Charu and Latha enjoy a harmony in views and tastes till Ravi (Skanda) enters their life. Probably because of the harmony, they end up in loving the same guy. However as fate would have it the two despise each other as Ravi falls for Charu. Then the turmoil begins with the mother Saranya Ponvannan intervening. She finally finds the solution to the issue that the twins must be separated. But again it is destined that only one will survive after the surgery. But who is the person who is to die and how she reacts to the situation is what the film narrates. The surprise is worth watching.
Analysis :
On the whole the film is a new approach to our age old formula of a triangle love story. Priyamani as Charu and Latha is bewitching and needs a special mention for her extraordinary acting skills. Charulatha is an Indian adaptation to the Thai film 'Alone.' The cinematography is awesome with no hitches in depicting the scenes with the twins. Though the plot weakens in the second half direction and emotions take center stage to cover up the loss. The narration and screen play are no doubt engrossing but little more shocks would have kept the audience on the edges. The ghost character that is out for a revenge, expresses in a peculiar way that only Priyamani could manage.
Performance :
Direction tops the icing with splendid performance from Priyamani. This portrayal is sure to fetch her many awards. Cinematography by P Selvam is awesome and needs special mention. Especially the change over of behavior after the surgery is a worthy element well enacted by Priyamani. The silent Charu turns into a loud mouthed girl while Latha turns vice-versa. In spite of all this there is no identity crisis between the two, thanks to the actor's talent. Skanda just lags on in her shadows.
The narration is on the high note, but of course with large scope for more spine chilling moments. Devoid them the film looks a bit unfinished. Saranya Ponvannan as the mother emotes naturally at the disaster that foresees one of her daughters. But other than this, there is not much work for the versatile veteran. Seetha and Ravi Shankar were nowhere seen as an element in the whole flick that failed to deliver the momentum, in the climax. Songs by Sundar C Babu are not very absorbing.
Final Word: Charulatha is a suspense-horror-thriller that is worth watching.
(AW- Anil)
