Maragatha Naanayam review: A ghost caper that sparkles from the word go

Maragatha Naanayam is a simple horror comedy that keeps you entertained right from the word go.

The film begins with some brilliant sketches used to narrate the tale of Irumburai Arasan, a king, who, through severe penance to a goddess, acquires a precious stone called the 'Maragatha Naanayam' which helps him emerge victorious in his battles against his enemies.

The king has this precious stone, which is a harbinger of good luck, studded in his sword. The effect is immediate, and he manages to expand his kingdom into an empire. Even when it is his time to die, the king, now an emperor, is so fond of the stone that he is unwilling to pass this emerald on to his successor. He chooses to have the sword along with the emerald buried with him after his death.

Several people, over centuries, who are aware of the precious stone's ability to bring luck, hunt for it. The only problem is that anybody who touches the stone ends up getting killed. Legend is that the spirit of Irumburai Arasan goes after anybody who touches the stone in the hope of harnessing its power.

The story then shifts to the present day scenario, where we are introduced to Senguttuvan (Aadhi Pinisetty) and his friend Ilango (Daniel).

Senguttuvan, already struggling under debts, ties up with Ilango, an underling for Ramdoss (Muneeshkanth). Ramdoss is a small time smuggler who offers Senguttuvan the hope of making some big money. The smuggler, however, has no intention of entering the big league and is content smuggling petty items, much to the dismay of the ambitious youngsters.

It is under these circumstances that one day, a Chinese guy comes to India expressing a desire to acquire the Maragatha Naanayam. He catches hold of John, a small time fixer, and asks him to find goons who will be able to steal the stone for him for a huge sum. When the big gangs refuse to help John fearing the curse associated with the Maragatha Naanayam, he turns to Senguttuvan and gang.

Senguttuvan, who knows nothing about the fate of those who go in search of the Maragatha Naanyam initially, takes up the task along with Ilango for the money offered.

As they slowly unravel the mysteries of the stone, the truth about the curse opens up to them. They slowly begin to fear their prize. They seek the advice of a black magician (Kota Srinivasa Rao) about how to steal the stone, and still survive. He gives them a tool to bring back someone from the spirit world, and suggests that they should seek the help of someone killed by this very curse. This spirit, the magician says, will prove to be their guardian angel.

When the two begin to wonder whose spirit they should call to their aid, Ilango remembers that one of his uncles who was one of the many victims of the stone. Senguttavan agrees. As the two begin to perform the ritual, news arrives that their boss, Ramdoss, has passed away. They rush to Ramadoss's place. Even as they pay their last respects to the body at the graveyard, the lemon in Senguttuvan's pocket falls on the dead body and Ilango's uncle's spirit enters the dead body of Ramdoss, bringing it back to life.

A goof-up during the ritual leads to their uncle's spirit entering their dead boss' body. Eventually, they gather up three other spirits, including that of Saanakya (Nikki Galrani) a girl Senguttuvan was in love with, to head out and find the stone.

The story might be complex, but the manner in which director ARK Saravan tells it is simple and straight. Therefore, one is able to relate to the plot without actually having to make too much of an effort.

Another factor that works in the film's favour is that the humour quotient in the film isn't exaggerated. The comic sequences are natural and, thus, genuinely funny. Credit for this must go to Anandraj (who plays the role of Twinkle Ramanathan, the head of a big gang), Muneeshkanth, Daniel and Nikki Galrani.

Nikki's role, in particular, is very special and one can go to the extent of saying that no other heroine in the Tamil film industry can claim to have played a role like this. The role is quite challenging for Nikki's character demands that she exhibit the body language of a man from the slums. She does it with such ease that it is hard not to take note of her performance.

Aadhi and Daniel complement each other so well in their combination scenes that the two appear to be real life friends. Muneeshkanth, initially, looks a little out of place but then, by the time the film ends, he seems to have earned a place in your heart. Brahmanandam's role is more of a cameo than anything else. Nevertheless, the funny man still manages to deliver.

Dhibu Ninan Thomas's music is just appropriate. Director Saravan earns a big brownie point for not having the hero and the heroine break into a song unnecessarily.

Editing by Prasanna GK is reasonably tight and camera by P V Shankar is good as well.

On the whole, this film sparkles!