Saroja - The Review

As you all know, expectations were sky high, and I must say, they did notdisappoint. There are talks that this was a rip-off from Judgement Night,but frankly , I dont care.

The most awaited film of the year after Dasavatharam. A movie drastically different from Chennai 600028 in terms of the plot, but with a similar execution. Everything they have tried has worked. The storyline is simple.Girl gets kidnapped. Four guys who are lost end up in the vicious kidnapper's hood and end up actually saving the girl.
The entire movie's life span is 3 days. From the day before till the current day. The movie takes its time to kick off. It takes its own leisurely pace to unwind. There is the character introduction, a couple of songs, a lot of comic moments until Venkat Prabhu asks you to fasten yourseat belts. After that, it is one hell of a roller coaster ride with satiric humor in between.
Since you must have already read about the story, I will have you what to watch out for, the hits and misses about Saroja. No doubt this is going tobe a hit, so there's really no need for a detailed review about the story.
The movie is filled with its comic moments, especially from Premji. His one-liners are awesome. He doesn't spare anyone from Simbu to Rajni (watchout for "I was helpless...I was cornered). Even though his emotions dont go well with the situation in hand, you can eat it up because of the humor he provides. How could he keep his cool and crack these plain jokes when your lives are on the line. It seems artificial, but as I said, just eat it up.

The situation is down to earth, the way these guys plan their escape is completely believable and races through time.The camera work is amazing. You can easily point out to 3 of the songs that were inserted, CHeeky Cheeky, Dost Bada Dost, and Kodana Kodi. but who wouldn't want to have them inserted? All the songs rock. Yuvan raps his wayin Cheeky Cheeky, a decision he will soon regret. His behind the scenes stuff will suffice. His histrionics in front of the camera is uncalled for.Dost Bada Dost is a peppy number even though it has the strangest oflyrics. (like Ozone endru vaanil kooda oattai undu).OMG!!!Somebody has gotto tell the lyricist that the hole in the Ozone layer is what is called a Ozone hole, and it is in no way the name of the hole.Nikitha, plays the absolutely inevitable damsel among the gang of goons.She gets a song to shake her hips, and thats kodana kodi. She oozes oomph all through the song. Really HOT!.

Among the performances, SPB Charan stands out. The new girl Vega is also awesome. Premji and Shiva have similar roles as that of Chennai 600028.Shiva has his share of one-liners. The other guy Vaibhav, is a revelation.Prakash Raj just sleep walks through his role. And finally, Jeyaram ...he should stop accepting roles like these. It really doesn't suit him and makes the role all the more artificial. His dialogue delivery is gimmicky , if anything.
Saroja, has its really good share of flaws and cliches as well. The first 30 mins. The triangular love story, girl talking about her love on the exact same day and time as the other guy, guy keeping it to himself...ohhthat piece was so lame.The single dame in the middle of a bunch of thugs who needs to wear hersaree well below her navel and do an item number. One guy trying to be obscene with the kidnapped girl. Guys with guns all around, with no idea how to use 'em. A group of beggars/rag-pickers in the middle of a deserted factory. One of them actually claims that the only way to get out is to geton board a running Goods train?? What they be doing there? Smoking Pot?Drive from Chennai to Hyd for a one-day match? R u crazy?

If you look at the movie, all these flaws are few and far in between.Altogether, this is a thorough entertainer. I would go to the extent ofsaying, its better than Chennai 600028, simply because Chennai 600028 was A la Carte, Saroja, is an amazing buffet. Go get your tickets NOW!!!

Saroja - It doesn't get better than this quite often.

Rating - 7.5/10.