Indru Netru Naalai (2015)

A scientist (Arya) in the year 2065 invents a time machine and to prove its capability sends it back in time to 2015. However, the machine is seen by three persons in the past — Elango (Vishnu Vishal, solid), a young man who is finding it hard to catch a break, his friend Pulivetti Arumugam (Karunakaran, whose quips keep you in splits), a pretend astrologer, and Giridhara Parthasarathy (TM Karthik, equal part crazy and funny), a inventor. The three are involved in a minor accident and they witness the time machine appearing out of thin air while they are recovering from the shock. While Parthasarathy plans to keep it to himself, he ends up in a coma and Elango and Arumugam use the machine to further the latter's astrology business. They recover things that have been lost by people by going back in time but do so under the guise of astrology. However, during one such excursion into the past, they meddle more than necessary and this prevents the death of Kuzhandaivelu (Ravi Shankar), a gangster and extortionist, who is actually tragetting Rajarathinam (Jayaprakash), the father of Elango's girlfriend Anu (Mia George). Soon, things begin to spiral out of control and their lives become living hell.

Time travel movies can be a lot of fun and that is something that debutant director Ravikumar seems to have realized straightaway. There is a lot of humour in Indru Netru Naalai, and much of it comes out organically — the comedy scenes are very much part of the plot. That is why the early trips that Elango and Arumugam take in the time machine have a touch of humour about them. After hearing on the news that gold prices have shot up, the two friends journey back in time to the pre-Independence era, pick up a lot of jewellery and when they pay the jeweller in modern-day currency, he returns it to them saying, "Velinaattu kaasu ellaam naan vaangarathilla." It is only then that it strikes them that contemporary currency will not have any value in the past.

This is something that we must have all, at one point or the other, fantasized about — how we could become super rich if we could go back in time and invest in things when they were cheaper. It is such relatable moments that make the film and the concept easily accessible to us. Time travel movies can easily become a mindbenders but here, there is always clarity in the screenplay — though, sometimes, at the cost of brevity. And these moments are really fascinating; in one song, Elango takes Anu through moments from her childhood and at one point, she ends up kissing herself when she was a newborn baby! Yes, it is a slightly illogical moment but it is also a deeply touching one. The scene in which Elango, Arumugam and Parthasarathy chance upon the time machine is presented in thrilling fashion. And the fact that the friends decide to use Arumugam's profession as a camouflage to use the machine (in one cheeky scene, a person requests them to find the missing Malaysian airplane!) and make money is a masterstroke — that rare instance when astrology is actually science. And, the visual effects are not tacky and we readily suspend our disbelief during the time travel scenes.

But in the second half, the wonder of time travel is used to tell a cliched gangster tale. The whole episode where Elango and Rajarathinam seek the help of Kuzhandaivelu's mentor and rival feels unnecessary given how little impact it has on the plot. The film is also a little short on energy — yes, we laugh at the jokes, wonder at the science and care for the characters but the narrative lacks pep in places making the film a tad overlong.

> Time travel is such a magic, it also involves great tragic.

One of the proofs that Indian films are getting better every year. Very soon it will be placed next to the Hollywood, ahead of European, Japanese, Korean for sure when it comes to international revenue. Because there's fierce competition between Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood, Mollywood and many more. Not only among the filmmakers, but fanbase/followers as well.

It is happening because of the younger generation. While they are experimenting and propelling to the future, the senior filmmakers and artists are wasting their reputation for mindless commercial films which is only moving backwards. It's time for non-Indians to learn about other than Bollywood and I also hate when people call all the Indian movies Bollywood.

> When the time is not matter, everything is possible.

While 'Endhiran' making its debut, they said it will ignite the sci-fi era in Indian cinema. Half a decade has passed and of course, some films came, but this is the major time travel movie I have ever seen in the Tamil language. Though, it was a B category movie. Because the cast has no major star values other than in the local market and it was directed by an incoming filmmaker. I think it was well written screenplay, it was not an intelligent, but easily understandable by everyone. I mean even by the older and rural people.

Time travel is not new in Indian films, but very very least explored theme. It did not waste time to explain the rules and mechanism from the basics, I think because of familiarity with Hollywood flicks among Indian audience. But still keeps a very simple story and due to layers in time (not the story), looks a little muddle. Not easy to predict, but feels like missed by a very close to fingertip.

All in his movie, Vishnu has done a wonderful job, but only a couple of films were somewhat widely recognised. Mainly because of the low cost movies and failed to promote, in another way to say, filmfestivel movies. Yet another similar outcome from this one which should have helped him to rise, but did not. He is a best all-rounder in the CCL's Rhino, hope his day will come as an actor well.

> "Telling a girl and posting on facebook is the same."

The other actor, Karunakaran was also excellent. He was the comedian and the sidekick before this film, but in here he one of the two leads. Like I always say, the songs are the drawback in Indian films and in this film they did not completely discarded, but reduced the numbers by around 50 per cent. The good thing is, all the songs were with the story, not some unnecessary drag to the outside of the topic.

Fantastic visuals, the standards were pared with any major English movies. But the graphics are what, only the time machine and the rest were story with human characters. The first hour was so fun and romantic, and the remaining hour was a thriller that keeps picking the pace till the final battle. Overall a two hour movie, definitely short and sweet as an Indian film.

I liked everything in the movie, from an attempt to make this experimental movie for the first time to production quality and performances. But, other than the songs, without the romance track in the narration, still feels impossible to survive its own as a perfect sci-fi-thriller. Excluding a few minor flaws from the movie, this is a very good film considering a low-budget Tamil movie.

I have heard (might be rumours) there's a possible for a sequel and this time the guest actor, Arya will be making his presence in a full fledged role. It must happen, because it was a brilliant narrative that can go up to become a trilogy. Especially his star value would make the franchise reach every corner. For those who want to see it, I remind don't anticipate like of Hollywood, British films. For Indian standards, it was a much better than nonsense masala films. Highly recommended, if you have not tasted Kollywood yet, it might be a better one to begin with.

9/10