Thirumalai

Ramana's 2003 Tamil film follows Thirumalai, who works as a mechanic. He meets Sweta, and her businessman father opposes the relationship and sends a gang against him. The narrative makes class difference the ground of its conflict. Thirumalai does not back down and the neighbourhood stands with him; the film builds its action out of that solidarity and endorses his toughness. Vijay and Jyothika lead, with Vivek carrying the comic line. Songs and fight sequences take wide space. The narrative follows the commercial pattern completely and leaves no room for surprise. Who it's for: those who like commercial Tamil films of the two thousands. Who it's not for: viewers uncomfortable with persistent pursuit being romanticised; the film uses it in the first half.