Yaanai Mugathaan Movie Review

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Actor Yogi Babu is on a roll playing sidekick of superstars and parallelly headlining projects on his own. His latest arrival is Yaanai Mugathaan. The film is about a fervent devotee of Lord Ganesh who leads a life without any ambition, but things take a bizarre turn when his favorite Lord Ganesh’s effigy goes missing. Actor Yogi Babu who was last seen in a supporting role in the horror comedy movie Ghosty is back on screens with his fantasy comedy drama Yaanai Mugathaan. Actor Ramesh Thilak has essayed a vital part in the film. The entertainer is the official Tamil remake of superhit Malayalam flick Innu Muthal. Malayalam storyteller Rejishh Midhila who wrote and helmed the original has also directed the Tamil version. So, how has the fantasy comedy drama Yaanai Mugathaan come out? Is it solid enough to revitalize the diminishing bankable lead hero image of actor Yogi Babu in Tamil cinema, and be a memorable debut for director Rejishh Midhila in Kollywood? To know that let us get into the movie review. 

Yaanai Mugathaan revolves around Ganesan (Ramesh Thilak), an ardent worshiper of Lord Ganesh who also happens to be a loafer who squirms at the word ‘work’. He makes his living mostly on borrowed money. Naturally he owes to literally everyone in his circle. Whenever lenders nag him to return the money, all he does is offer prayer to god asking him to fill their life with more problems that they even forget that he owes them. He spends his time aimlessly roaming around the city with his friend Michael (Karunakaran) who is also a wastrel. 

The only saving grace in Ganesan’s life is Malli Akka (Urvasi), who provides him with accommodation and financial assistance frequently. One day he notices that his favorite effigy of god Ganesh is missing. He looked for it everywhere but could not locate it. He informs Malli Akka and Michael. But they turned a deaf ear to him. Suddenly, Ganesan (Yogi Babu) enters his life, and strange events begin to occur. Who is this new Ganesan, will Ganesan discover the lost effigy of Lord Ganesh, and will he be able to repay his debts and turn around his life, is what makes the rest of the flick. 

God taking human form is not new to Tamil cinema. Arai En 305-il Kadavul and Vinodhaya Sitham have done it in the past. What differentiates director Rejishh Midhila’s Yaanai Mugathaan from them is, it slightly has a philosophical tenor to it. Though the film starts slow it lays a good base presenting us of the life and thought process of its lead character. But as the structure is raised, we gradually begin to feel the design is of average standard. Deliberately or unintentionally, the flick has a couple of metaphoric angles. When Ganesan loses the figurine of Ganesh, it sort of symbolically induces the question what happens to a person with the absence of god in life. Ganesan searches for the figurine all over the place with desperation. But nothing substantial comes out of this sequence. It just passes off as another scene. Either the writing is bad to not clearly expand on it nor perhaps it is an accidental sweet spot. 

As the flow starts to ebb after a point, director Rejishh Midhila cleverly energizes it with a challenge from god to man. As we straighten yourself with anticipation, we are presented with a mediocre drama. Post the challenge completion, Ganesan does some self-reflection. For some reason he cannot does it from the place of his habitation. Suddenly the urge to embark on a spiritual journey strikes him and off he goes to Rajasthan. In search of what? Only the god knows. The film has many interesting moments and interactions. Sample this, Ganesan tells Michael that despite his prayers Lord Ganesh does not give him good fortune. Michael tells him that the very human existence is a blessing of god. But all these moments happen to be in pockets, and does not go beyond momentary sparkle. Director Rejishh Midhila’s writing is not sufficient to tie these moments with suitable treatment to make it amount to something wholesome. 

Actor Yogi Babu demonstrates that he is not only an ideal budget hero but also a good performer. He shoulders his part comfortably without shedding a sweat. Actor Ramesh Thilak’s part has scope but has not been fleshed out to its full potential. Nonetheless, the actor elevates his role with his superb comical timing and expressions. Even he shines in emotive portions. Actress Urvasi offers great company to them, and puts on a show. Actor Karunakaran too jumps on to the wagon. He does draw giggles, but is also irksome sporadically. Actor Uday Chandra is inconsistent with his performance. Actor Hareesh Peradi makes his presence felt even in a next to nothing role. Actor Crane Manohar is as effective as usual. Actor Naaga Vishaal lives up to the purpose of why he was brought on board. Actor Yogendra Singh Rathore does justice to his part. Actor Edwin Anthony is operational. Actor Bairavan is effective. The rest of the cast has delivered what was asked of them. 

On the technical front, music director Bharath Sankar’s songs are average. But his background score is in harmony with the funnier tone of the drama. Cinematographer Karthik S Nair has done a decent job covering the flick. His angles and color quality add value to the film. Editor Syalo Sathyan to his part has put his clipper to find work, and has tried his best to clip off the flaws in the work of his colleague. 

On the whole, with little modifications in the screenplay and more effective quips, story teller Rejishh Midhila’s Yaanai Mugathaan would have been a highly entertaining comedy drama.