Film: KOVIL
Cast: Shimbu, Sonia Agarwal, Nasar, Rekha, Vadivelu
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Producer: A M Rathnam
Screenplay and direction: Hari 
Released on: Jan 10, 2004

 

Shimbu disappoints again. His much talked about film, KOVIL, is a big letdown. Hari who gave blockbuster SAAMY last year faltered in his rehash version of Bharatiraja's ALAIKAL OYVATHILLAI. Unlike the original, KOVIL suffers from lack of innovative narration and insipid music score by Harris Jayaraj. The original had great compositions by Ilayaraja and terrific screenplay. KOVIL lacks the both qualities. 

 

The film is about love story about two youths who belong to two different religions. Hindu boy Sakthivel (Silambaran) and Christian girl Agnel Devi (Sonia Agarwal) fall in love. The heroine's father Susa Michael (Nassar) is a rabid Christian who not even lets his daughter have Hindu style of dressing. He is against to anything that is Hindu. The hero's father Periyasami (Raj Kiran) is a true Hindu and is a do-gooder. Don't ask how church going Agnel Devi falls instantly love with a devout Hindu guy! 

Meanwhile, they happily sing songs and dance in various exotic locations but their parents shatter their happy dream life.  To give a new twist to the story of ALAIKAL OYVATHILLAI, the director Hari has brought in some stupid twist that heroine is not really Christian and that she was orphan adopted by Nasser. A humiliated Nassar climbs on top of the church and threatens to commit suicide to atone his sins but is saved by his archrival Rajkiran. 

 

Though Shimbu entertains the audience with his usual Rajinikanth style of mannerisms, he lacks good story to exhibit his histrionics and talent. Sonia Agarwal is a misfit as a devout Christian girl. There is not much to talk about Harris Jayaraj's music. All in all, Hari has failed to provide an entertainer.