Cast: Cheran, Sneha,  Ilavarasu , Gopika , Mallika , Kanika and Rajesh
Music: Bharadwaj
Script, produced and directed by: Cheran
Release date: Feb 20, 2004

Director Cheran's AUTOGRAPH, in which he also played the lead role, is good in parts. Thematic and technique wise it is a novel attempt. It is his attempt to recreate the nostalgic moments and recreate the bygone era of 70s and 80s. As a director, he has not only succeeded brilliantly in that part but also brought some good cinematic moments on the screen but it cannot be said same of his acting. 

He had earned much praise for his debut as hero in Thanger Bachchan's SOLLA MARANDHA KATHAI, but he seems to have taken the praise to his head and indulged in narcissism. Highlight of the film is brilliant camera work. It is told in flashbacks. Barring the itches of his narcissistic performance, and too much detailed work like a documentary film, it is a good filmy experience in a whole.

While heading Madurai, Senthil (Cheran), an advertising executive, goes nostalgic. He reminiscences memories of his school days and his first love all that happened at his home town near Mahdurai. And he drifts back again to his college life, where he had fallen in love with Kamala (Mallika). But the love didn't long last much and she is married to someone else and has now two children. Then he takes his journey to Kerala where he studied in S.N.College in Allepey. 

There he once again goes back in memory lane on how he fell for Lathika (Gopika), his first kissing experiences and how finally his love was shattered by her father who gets her off married to her cousin. Senthil gets disheartened after seeing Lathika as a widow. But Senthil's life totally changes after he meets Divya (Sneha) who teaches him the value of friendship and to let go of his past and get on with his life. Ironically, he ends up marrying another girl Thenmozhi (Kanika) in the end in the presence of all those we see him in his flashback.

Perhaps, after watching Saif Ali Khan's song in DIL CHAHTA HAI, Cheran has tried to make film on the bygone era. He has succeeded at it but it requires a bit of polish and restraint in the too much of detailing. It is the female lead - Sneha, Gopika and Mallika, who score with their performances. Cheran's screenplay is very tacky. 

Bhardwaj's mellifluous music and brilliant cinematography work done four cinematographers by Vijay Milton, Shanky Mahendra, Ravi Varman and Dwarakanath.  But for common audience it doesn't appeal much for the narration is very slow.