Nanban - A neat remake

Will Nanban be very different from 3 idiots? Did Shankar add any value to the original? Most importantly, did Vijay screw the character done by Aamir?

NO is the reply for all of them. Yes Nanban is a scene by scene repetition of 3 idiots, but that is why it is called a remake. 3 idiots is a movie which can be seen any number of times and it is definitely a good experience to see the same rendered different way in our language (instead of seeing 3 idiots with subtitle).

Vijay is PERFECT! (Mind you I am also a Vijay hater just like most of those reading this because of his many meaningless movies) I would say that even the so called soft role of him in 'Sachin' was over-acting. This is the best simple acting of Vijay after REALLY long time. He never appeared different from the movie as he used to be. He did nothing more than what the important character of 3 idiots script should do. Good man!

Srikanth is another actor in my hate list and that guy is also good in this movie; all in the hands of director. Jeeva was awesome and natural as usual!

I feel that Ileana belongs to "extreme slim" case ;). Elumbum tholumaa irukka but of course she has precisely replicated the cute role of Kareena.

Omi Vaidya (3 idiots) had set a high benchmark and it was actually tough task for Satyan but he did meet it brilliantly. In my opinion, he was the best of Nanban. I laughed more for 'Karpazhithaar' when compared to 'Balaatkaar'.

Satyaraj was appearing like a 'over acting headache' in trailer but I was completely wrong. He was fabulous. Experience speaks!

Manoj Paramahamsa's camera was aesthetic and pleasing. Those elevated views of Pamban bridge, tea estates were magnificent. Frames were fresh!

Harris Jayaraj has done exactly what is needed. He being known as a Copy (or to put it decent Inspire) King has given an almost original songs. Nalla Nanban is of course m favorite but I personally liked all the songs. BGMs were neither out-standing nor standing-out. There were enough silence which itself is a good sign.

Remaking 3 idiots was a risk (that too with a hyped hero like Vijay who is sunk in image) but director Shankar didn't appear to have taken that pressure. He was cool and clear. He should have definitely felt relaxed while taking this movie after a painstaking Endhiran. A well written and established script was in his hands and he just had to present it for a different set of audience. I can bet, not many can do that but Shankar didn't disappoint.

Overall, Nanban is a neat and best remake of 3 idiots!