Marainthirunthu Parkkum Marmam Enna review: Thrilling peek into workings of chain-snatcher gangs

Marainthirunthu Parkkum Marmam Enna (meaning 'what is the mystery behind watching in secret') is the title of director R Rahesh's film. While it might sound like a phrase borrowed from the first line of a popular romantic song, featuring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, the film's story has nothing to do with romance and delves into crime. Interestingly, the film's team couldn't have come up with a more suitable title.

Jilla (Ramachandran Durairaj) is a notorious chain-snatcher who has been in this ignominious business for over a decade. As a result, his confidence has grown so much that he strikes at will without fear; snatching jewellery from unsuspecting, vulnerable, defenceless women. He has had a free run, with nobody to stop either him or his boys, even though they have caused grievious injuries to their victims on several occasions.

One of the reasons for Jilla's fearless attitude is Mani (Mime Gopi), a powerful gangster, who controls many such gangs.

One night, Jilla and his team set out for work. Like thorough professionals, each team member is assigned a task. There is a spotter, who spots the victim; a person called 'Route', whose job is to first survey the area and ensure that the place is safe to stage the crime and then make a getaway; then there are those who do the snatching. All of them get to work and, like always, succeed in the theft. This time, however, they are in for a surprise. Another chain snatcher manages to outwit them and steals their prize from them.

Stunned by the development and humiliated by the fact that somebody who is new on the circuit managed to steal from him, Jilla is intent on finding the person. He wishes to kill the newcomer and establish his supremacy in his area of expertise. Unfortunately, for him and his master Mani, there are very few clues to work upon, and therefore, they have no other option but to let go and wait.

The newcomer soon strikes for a second time. However, Jilla and his boys are prepared. They nab him and he identifies himself as Japan (Dhruvva). Japan tells them that he is a novice and is out to make a quick buck.

After giving him a sound thrashing, they are on the verge of killing him, when Mani interferes and offers Japan the opportunity to join the team. Japan agress and soon becomes part of all operations. However, Japan is reckless. He neither follows instructions, nor is a team player and often does what pleases him, invariably causing trouble to the otherwise united team.

First-time director R Rahesh deserves praise for the attempt. However, it does have a few drawbacks. The director seems to have done extensive research on the chain-snatching gangs operating in the city and gives a detailed idea of how they carry out their operations.

For instance, in the film, Jilla, while training Japan, tells him to pick only women with children. "Women with children will only be worried about their safety while a woman without kids will look to chase you," Jilla says. He also says that only women in sarees are to be targetted as women in salwars are more likely to give a chase. These details educate the public about the modus operandi of such dangerous gangs.

The film makes a valiant attempt to point out the threat these gangs pose as they continue to thrive and flourish and also hints at the physical damage they can cause to innocent victims.

The film also sheds light on the dirty deals these notorious gangsters have with the cops and the jewellers. The information that the film provides is bound to both startle and educate you.

Rahesh shows how certain jewellers tip off such gangs about customers who have bought huge quantities of gold. The thieves then loot these customers and sell the jewellery back to the shop owners for a lesser price.

The film has good performances from all actors — be it Ramachandran Durairaj, Arul Dass or Mime Gopi. Radha Ravi, too, has done a neat job.

Dhrruva emotes well but his dialogue delivery isn't upto the mark. He seems to be in a hurry to deliver his lines.

Aishwarya Dutta, who plays a police officer named Bharathi, looks completely confused with her role. The same can be said of JD Chakravarthi, who plays her senior in the police department.

However, the other heroine of the film, Anjana Prem, looks promising as she plays her part with conviction. Saranya Ponvannan as Dhrruva's mother delivers a winning performance.

Achu Rajamani's music is fine, as is PG Muthaiah's cinematography.

All in all, Marainthirunthu Parkkum Marmam Enna is definitely worth a watch.

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