I just finished watching "3" and it is 3.30 a.m IST. I have watched the movie after more than a year the movie released in theatres in India. I had gotten mixed reviews for the movie from my friends. While some had totally written the movie down stating it was illogical, dark, and pointless, a few of my friends had described it as a masterpiece with brilliant performances. I have through time mastered the art of watching movies with an open mind without expectations even after the hype and hoopla surrounding a movie and even after reading several reviews. And that is exactly what I did while I started watching "3" too. The movie opens with the scene of a coffin with garlands surrounded my mourning people, and a visibly shattered Janani ( Shruti Hassan). The credits start rolling as the coffin is taken away and as Janani sits in her empty apartment, she hears the distinct voice of her husband calling out her name – "Janani" and that's when Aishwarya Dhanush chooses to reveal the movie's name – "3"!
Just with this opening scene giving me Goosebumps and a chill down my spine, I was assured that this movie is going to be an experience that I will remember forever. The entire narrative of the movie is split into three parts and hence the title. The first part shows the school days of Janani and Ram ( Dhanush), how their love blossoms and grows. You would be pleasantly surprised by how well Dhanush and Shruti register in your hearts as the high school Ram and Janani in just a single shot. They both look like high school kids every bit and this is by far the most happily enjoyable part of the movie. Sivakarthikeyan as Dhanush's friend Kumaran and Badava Gopi as the tuition teacher provide excellent humor. Special mention must be made to Gabriella as Shruti's deaf and dumb younger sister who steals our hearts in just the few scenes that she appears. From the beginning, Aishwarya keeps us on the edge of our seats making us keep guessing how Ram would have died and what would have caused his death. And, along with this, she gradually builds the love story of Ram and Janani that proceeds to the tying of the nuptial knot in a pub in the second part of the narrative. After this, once the police inspector reveals the findings of the postmortem of Ram, Janani is shocked to her core and goes around speaking to Ram's father and in search of Ram's closest confidant senthil ( played outstandingly by Sundar Raman). The facts that Senthil reveals about Ram forms the most important and pivotal part of the movie- the final part of the narrative. Yes, the movie is dark. Yes, the movie is not all about falling-in-love- getting-married-living-happily-ever-after. But, it deals with a very sensitive and a very important subject and we should all take a bow to Aishwarya for making such a bold attempt with her debut movie. It is quite evident in many scenes that Aishwarya has worked with Selvaraghavan. But that just goes to tell us what beautiful masterpieces Selva has made and how we are able to recognize his stamps. Dhanush, who has become a seasoned actor over the last decade, has given one of his career best lifetime performances. The man made me cry at many places just by his looks and expressions. This is yet another feather in his hat to mark the point that he has carved a niche for himself in Indian cinema and deserves many accolades and recognition in the world of cinema. Shruti has done complete justice to her role and makes us feel all the right emotions for all that she brings out of her on the screen. She has been negatively criticized for her crying scenes, but I personally felt she has done a great job in all scenes. Sundar Raman, as Dhanush's close friend who has to deal with Ram's secret and help his friend has etched a wonderful performance. Anirudh's "kolaveri" went on to become a viral hit all over the world much before the movie. But the young man has given some wonderful songs and background score throughout. All the songs have a underlying sadness to them keeping in line with the central theme of the movie. Prabhu, Bhanupriya and Rohini have done their parts to perfection proving the fact that they are veterans. The cinematography and editing of the movie sustain the thrill, darkness and the feel of the movie throughout. "3" is a brilliant and bold work about a very serious issue and will leave an impression on you that one can never forget. The movie will stay with you long after you have watched it and will haunt you forever. Yes, it is dark but it will not disappoint you. If you are looking for cheesy romance, corny songs, one-liners, a happy ending or if you are too weak and not strong enough to watch some serious, dark themed movie, then I'd suggest not watching it. But, I would strongly recommend "3" for those of you who like to watch a meaningful masterpiece with brilliant and extremely memorable performances.
