When we meet 29-year-old Sathya, he is imploding with an identity crisis that most men his age go through. A graduate in agriculture, he left his hometown Salem and found peace in a nine-to-five job in Chennai. He isn’t on good terms with his mother, and his world is also devoid of any female presence.
“The difference between 28 and 29 is one year, but the difference between 29 and 30 is a lot.”
Sathya’s world gets rocked when, as expected, a girl enters. Vijayalakshmi a.k.a. Viji (Preethi Asrani) flies past him like a breeze on a sunny day, and Sathya’s definition of life, love and purpose finds a renewed meaning. They fall in love, and “being a beautiful girl’s boyfriend” becomes Sathya’s identity.
What Works: The Romance Has a Beating Heart
Segmented into 10 parts, Rathna’s breezy romance-drama is an ode to:
- The old-school charm of early-2010s romance
- Men who suffer under the weight of existential crises
- Women who are forced to choose between parts of themselves
A Brilliant Scene That Stands Out
There’s a brilliant scene set in a motel room where the writer in Rathna takes complete control. Beginning with a slight misunderstanding (which calls back to their first meeting on an office stairway) and ending in an argument, the scene captures — with ease and brevity — everything going on in the characters’ minds.
The ‘Mind Voice’ Concept
Sathya’s ‘mind voice’ becomes a character by itself, called Seelay, which he expects Viji to somehow understand. This is one of those over-the-top ideas that somehow works in *29*. The film is replete with such ideas that demand you to suspend your reality and see the world through the eyes of this lovelorn couple.
What Doesn’t Work: Where the Film Loses Steam
| Weakness | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Subplot with Mahendran | Addresses Sathya’s identity crisis but leaves you scratching your head |
| Unclear message on self-discovery | Can’t a man with a nine-to-five job fall in love and have a happily-ever-after? |
| Climax feels inorganic | Not all moments between Sathya and Viji feel organic |
| Purpose vs. reality | The film muddies its own messaging about what “purpose” means |
A dialogue by Sathya’s roommate Mani makes one wonder if the film might pivot towards how matters of money, status, and class could wedge a gap between a couple. That could have been a more relatable endeavour; however, what we get instead feels too misaligned with the reality the film had been portraying.
Performances: Preethi Asrani Steals the Show
Vidhu as Sathya
Vidhu imbues his performance with a lot of anxious energy, helping us witness Sathya’s inner turmoil and confused mind space. His portrayal of a man struggling with who he is — beyond being Viji’s boyfriend — is convincing.
Preethi Asrani as Viji (The Star of the Film)
Preethi’s Viji is easily one of the most effortlessly elegant depictions of a woman who learns to choose herself over others, especially when she must make difficult decisions. Through her half-smiles and measured eye movements alone, Preethi brings Viji to life with utmost ease and conviction.
Supporting Cast
Mahendran and Sindhu Shyam provide able support, though the former’s subplot is where the film’s ambition exceeds its execution.
Themes Explored: Small Worlds That Make Us Who We Are
Rathna deserves credit for how he depicts the many small worlds that together make us who we are. Sathya isn’t just Sathya of Viji. He is:
- A Sathya to his friend Mani
- A Sathya who lives in a small rented room on a terrace
- A Sathya to his mother and father
- A Sathya to himself
These dimensions ensure that the characters appear lived-in and relatable.
Final Verdict: A Film That Works If You Let It
At its core, *29* is a film about two people learning to grow out of the fantasy of love. And so, it wouldn’t work if you end up questioning the authenticity of its beats. It might even come across as cringe-inducing in that case.
However, *29* is a film that celebrates those who know what it is like to believe in a snowstorm in Chennai.
Rathna had earlier stated important requisites for a love story to work — good performers, confident producers, a catchy music album, a different script, and a unique treatment. In this regard, *29* ticks all the right boxes.
