Cast - Hemachandran, Nandana

Director - Dhanapal Padmanabhan

Rating - 2.5/5

In the milieu of mill

Directed by debutant Dhanapal Padmanabhan, 'Krishnaveni Panjalai' is a love story, has a social subject and also takes you back in time. But on the downside you have to enjoy all these elements in parts, because the director has missed on blending them together. 

The script of the film is very strong and makes sure that it transports you to the bygone era. Set props and costumes give such authenticity that you too can feel the woes of the characters. While a potent story takes the film to heights, slipshod narration pulls it down.

The story is based in 1950s in Udumalaipet, where a cotton mill named Krishnavei Panjalai has been set up. The mill is owned by a kind hearted business man (Rajev Krishna) who provides job opportunities to the people in the area. 

Working in the mill, lead characters Kathir (Hemachandran) and Poongothai (Nandana) are in love with each other. Kathir helps Poongothai to get her elder sister married against her widow mother’s (Renukha) wishes. However things do not go well after wedding since the caste difference creates problems between the husband and wife. 

In the meantime problems arise in the mill. The management and workers get into a dispute leading to the shutdown of the mill. Will Kathir and Poongothai be able to solve the problems is for you to find out. 

Debutants Hemachandran and Nandana fit well to their roles and manage to create good chemistry. The supporting cast, including M S Bhaskar, Renukha and Bala Singh suit well to their characters. 

Cinematography by Suresh Bhargav and Adhisayaraj and music by Raghunandan are worth mentioning. However it is the art director and costume designer who take the movie to a whole new level. 

All in all Krishnaveni Panjalai is a good attempt by newcomer Dhanapal Padmanabhan, just a little more concentration on the screenplay would have made the film just right.