At first, it appears like another lazy appropriation of a Rajinikanth film title, in accordance with Tamil cinema’s belief (or maybe desperate hope) that some of the Superstar’s luck will rub off on the film: a decent man named Dharmadurai (‘Makkal Selvan’ Vijay Sethupathi, phoning in his performance) exploited by unscrupulous brothers. But then we hear the names of these siblings. Arjunan. Beemarasu. Their mother (Raadhika Sarathkumar, doing more for the role than the role does for her) named them after the Pandavas, so they’d stay united.
If only. Dharmadurai is an alcoholic. The only way the brothers can keep him in check is by locking him up. The early scenes paint Dharmadurai as a loser, and I ended up feeling sorry for the brothers who have to put up with his loutish behaviour.
But Dharmadurai is a doctor, and we’re ushered into a flashback – it’s set in Madurai Medical College, and it’s filled with cardboard characters. Like Stella (Srushti Dange), who draws a big heart in her notebook and gives it to Dharmadurai. Like Subhashini (Tamannaah), who, during the last day of college, asks Dharmadurai, “What is your next plan?” He replies, “Nee nalla irukkanum. Adha naan paakanum.”
This doesn’t seem to be a college that produces doctors. It seems to be producing saints. Dharmadurai writes poems about peace for the college magazine. Subhashini, meanwhile, says she’s donating her body after she dies. Their teacher (Rajesh) changed his name from Muniyandi to Kamaraj, after the Chief Minister who implemented the midday meal scheme and provided a reason for Muniyandi’s mother to send him to school.
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