Polladhavan (2007)

Prabhu is a jobless young loafer who has his set of loyal friends. He swindles money from home and has a lot of drunken fun with his friends. His father isn't happy as expected. Prabhu covets the Pulsar bike and he uses the money that his father gives him in angst, to buy his favorite bike. He gets a job through that and slowly comes up in life. He also has a love affair with Hema.

Just when things are fine, his Pulsar bike goes missing. As a result, tt is a hunt that involves gangsters in North Madras. Selvam is the kingpin, Out is his man-Friday. Ravi is the younger brother of Selvam and he is an immature, impulsive guy who is looking to make it big like his brother.

Prabhu and Ravi accidentally face-off a couple of times and the missing bike also has Ravi's involvement (for drug trafficking). At one instance, Prabhu beats Ravi to within an inch of his life. Prabhu's father is incapacitated by Ravi's men as a result. Selvam advises Ravi not to take this matter further and even Prabhu is prepared to let go after he gets his bike back. But, Ravi doesn't relent and takes it as a personal ego issue to settle scores with Prabhu.

In the end, the lean 'boy next door' uses his guts and daring to eliminate Ravi in his own den. There is a major bloodbath prior to this, where most of the gangsters are killed one way or the other.

Review

• A major break for Dhanush back in 2007. He rocks in comedy, the romantic pursuit scenes, the intense scenes and also in the climax 6 pack fight. Wholesome appeal. 
• The songs by G.V. Prakash are all chartbusters. 2 needless songs in the second half break the rhythm of the movie. The BG score is cult. Widely appreciated themes though some have been blatantly lifted. The bike theme, the theme for Selvam etc. take the cake. 
• Riveting non-linear screenplay from 2 perspectives - Prabhu and Ravi. Definitely something new. 
• Kishore, Pawan are imposing as the gangsters with some conscience. Daniel Balaji as Ravi has a terrific makeover and is brilliant in such negative roles as expected. 
• Santhanam and Karunas are a riot in the comedy department along with Dhanush. Divya Spandana has a cute little part as the lady love. Murali and Bhanupriya are the typical middle class parents. The sister has a small likable part too. 
• The scenes following the bike's theft are riveting. Such shocking and authentic detailing. Hats off. A birds eye view of the gangster life in North Madras. 

VERDICT

A major cult in Tamil commercial cinema. The screenplay, the authentic portrayal of gangsters and the bike element make this movie a classic.