Avan Ivan - Review

Cast	Vishal Krishna, Arya, G M Kumar, Madhu Shalini, Janani Iyer, Ambika, Jayaprabha, Ananth Vaidyanathan
Director	Bala
Banner	AGS Entertainment
Production	AGS Entertainment
Music	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematography	Arthur A. Wilson
Editing	Suresh Urs
Producers	Kalpathi S. Aghoram, Kalpathi S. Ganesh, Kalpathi S. Suresh
Lyrics	Na. Muthukumar.
Certification	U/A

Director Bala weaves characters and movies out of common people, many of whom may be considered undesirable and avoidable by the general public, e.g. gravedigger, drug peddler, sex worker, cannibal; Bala could keep pulling out these characters from our everyday lives to make movies. In Avan Ivan, it's a light-hearted zamindar, two thieving half-brothers, their foul mouthed moms and an 'everyone knows everyone' countryside.

A sizable chunk of viewers who have experienced Bala’s movies, consider him crude and heartless in creating his shady characters; but the underlying truth is that he has showed time and again on screen that these undesirables too can laugh, love and have hopes and aspirations like anyone else. Bala has been the USP for his movies, but for Avan Ivan, it's also the squint eyed Vishal and the shaggy Arya.

G.M. Kumar plays the dethroned zamindar, who still rides on the pride that his kingdom once owned the lands around him. He cares for his villagers like his own subjects, just as his forefathers did. Half-brothers Walter Vanangamudi (Vishal) and Kumbideran Saamy (Arya) are thieves. That’s right! 'Kumbideran Saamy' is Arya’s pseudonym, which he believes will make the pestering cops refer to him with respect, even if they don’t mean to.

Arya, the younger brother, is an elusive thief with a quick mind, while Vishal is a simpleton who tries his hand at thievery, but with little success. Vishal’s heart lies in plays, acting and dance, which makes him believe he is more of an artist than a thief. Both brothers are the trusted stooges of the zamindar, who lives alone in his humongous bungalow. Though they are seen on each side of the zamindar, the brothers do not see eye to eye, and Arya constantly sniggers at Vishal for his effeminate side.

Bala’s characters are powerful, but in this film, they seem to lack a gripping storyline compared to his earlier movies. Vishal as the gender-confused individual, movingly brings out the man and woman in his character. He also expresses exceptional talent as a reluctant thief, who feels he is better off as a stage performer. Arya as Kumbideran Saamy is witty, assertive and shows no remorse in snubbing his brother, Arya’s coming of age role we can say. Bala always injects an amount of animal into his characters. Vishal’s reptile-like moves and Arya’s baby baboon type movements again prove Bala’s signature style.

Like his earlier movies, the 'undesirable', or in this case the undesirable pair, stands up against a bigger enemy. In Avan Ivan it’s RK, who runs an illegal slaughter house. When the zamindar calls upon the police and animal activists to raid RK’s illegal trade, RK turns against the zamindar, which ultimately pulls Vishal and Arya into the melee.

Vishal, Arya, G.M. Kumar and veteran actress Ambika, as Vishal's foul-mouthed, theft encouraging mother, are the prominent characters. Janani Iyer as Constable Baby has a role to some extent, but Arya's pair Madhu Shalini's portrayal is vague. Bala's signature climax fighting scene that seem like the world is coming to an end have been religiously added. Arthur Wilson shoulders Bala's love for the luscious landscapes of Theni, while Yuvan's music combined with Vishal and Arya's dance numbers are straight out of the streets. Avan Ivan is a good watch, hence Bala has successfully reused his tested formula.