Production: Thyagarajan
Direction: Thyagarajan
Music: Ilayaraja
Star-casts: Prashanth, Pooja Chopra, Divya Parameswaran, Prakash Raj, Sneha and others
As a father, Thyagarajan might have conceptualized the idea of making ‘Ponnar Shankar’ so as to elevate his son Prashanth’s career in Tamil film industry that has been under a deplorable condition for a long time. But as a producer he should have got it clear that whether a film made a whooping amount on his son will fetch him profits. To be precise, Prashanth doesn’t boast of a bigger market as even a B-league actor. Let’s leave apart the ‘trade values’, but even when considered as a film, it doesn’t cater to the tastes of any centre of audiences. ‘Ponnar Shankar’ looks like a spoof played on several period war films.
It’s really confusing to see so many characters in the films based on the story of Kalaingar Karunanidhi. And what’s annoying the most is that most of the actors appear for namesake and are unable to give a meaningful performance. ‘Ponnar Shankar’ has dozens of actors making their surprising appearance and yet remains unspectacular.
The film proves nowhere different as it borrows storyline from various movies from the ancient times. Love story between the cousin boy-and-girl and the family feuds standing as a barrier has been the heart and soul of several love stories. Well, ‘Ponnar Shankar’ belongs to this category and it proves nowhere ne plus ultra in both narrative and technical contexts.
The story centers on twin brothers Ponnar & Shankar (both roles played by Prashanth) known as saviors of the poor and needy. Their good-heartedness wins them the favor of people all over the region. While they try saving two sisters (Pooja Chopra and Divya Parameswaran) from a dangerous situation, love blossoms between the duos. When it’s time for nuptials, an ultimate twist comes through a flashback as we get to know that the lovers are none other than close cousins. It brings numerous characters into the tale involving the conflict that happened between the families.
Prashanth tries to evoke a thundering performance here and there, but he lacks the masculinity, which is excessively needed for such character. But, he is quite okay over few scenes, but it irks us heavily with the stunt sequences that looks so odd. First and foremost, the complete film lacks the touch of what a period film should look like. It looks like a staged high school play, Sorry to say! It’s not an intended statement, but a fact. Pooja Chopra and Divya Parameswaran lack the adeptness badly while Sneha as Prashanth’s sister makes an impressive performance. Kushboo on her part has done what is required for the role. The graphic work is so amateurish while the musical score by Ilayaraja is commendable at parts. Cinematography requires special mention while editing is done with neatness.
The second half of the film becomes too horrible and it urges for a second thought of walking out of theatres. Prakash Raj sleepwalks through the negative character and there’s nothing special about him.
On the whole, ‘Ponnar Shankar’ doesn’t exceed our expectations or even do justice to the audiences’ interests. Instead, it turns out to be a ridiculous drama that offers laughs and annoyances in parts.
It’s really confusing to see so many characters in the films based on the story of Kalaingar Karunanidhi. And what’s annoying the most is that most of the actors appear for namesake and are unable to give a meaningful performance. ‘Ponnar Shankar’ has dozens of actors making their surprising appearance and yet remains unspectacular.
The film proves nowhere different as it borrows storyline from various movies from the ancient times. Love story between the cousin boy-and-girl and the family feuds standing as a barrier has been the heart and soul of several love stories. Well, ‘Ponnar Shankar’ belongs to this category and it proves nowhere ne plus ultra in both narrative and technical contexts.
The story centers on twin brothers Ponnar & Shankar (both roles played by Prashanth) known as saviors of the poor and needy. Their good-heartedness wins them the favor of people all over the region. While they try saving two sisters (Pooja Chopra and Divya Parameswaran) from a dangerous situation, love blossoms between the duos. When it’s time for nuptials, an ultimate twist comes through a flashback as we get to know that the lovers are none other than close cousins. It brings numerous characters into the tale involving the conflict that happened between the families.
Prashanth tries to evoke a thundering performance here and there, but he lacks the masculinity, which is excessively needed for such character. But, he is quite okay over few scenes, but it irks us heavily with the stunt sequences that looks so odd. First and foremost, the complete film lacks the touch of what a period film should look like. It looks like a staged high school play, Sorry to say! It’s not an intended statement, but a fact. Pooja Chopra and Divya Parameswaran lack the adeptness badly while Sneha as Prashanth’s sister makes an impressive performance. Kushboo on her part has done what is required for the role. The graphic work is so amateurish while the musical score by Ilayaraja is commendable at parts. Cinematography requires special mention while editing is done with neatness.
The second half of the film becomes too horrible and it urges for a second thought of walking out of theatres. Prakash Raj sleepwalks through the negative character and there’s nothing special about him.
On the whole, ‘Ponnar Shankar’ doesn’t exceed our expectations or even do justice to the audiences’ interests. Instead, it turns out to be a ridiculous drama that offers laughs and annoyances in parts.
