Cast: Samuthirakani, Junior Balaiah and Thambi Ramaiah

Director: A. M. Anbazhagan

Rating: 3/5

Need of the day

It's a common feeling that today's educational system needs an urgent reform. Of late, Kollywood too seems to have been feeling this need, and as a result, films such as 'Nanban' and 'Dhoni' are cropping up.

Toeing on the same lines is 'Saattai'. But the difference between this one and the other two movies mentioned in the para above is that the latest one, directed by debutant Anbazhagan, relies heavily on the nativity factor.

While the earlier two films are generic, this one revolves around a village in Tamil Nadu, and gets the basic things right. The school, the teachers, the students, everything and everyone are almost apt.

But the only lacunae which should have been avoided by the director is the preachy tone. From the beginning till the end, 'Saattai' serves us with messages, messages and more messages.

Dayalan (Samuthirakani) joins a rural school as a teacher. He is upset with the happenings there and wants to set things right. He wants to motivate students and make them responsible citizens.

Though there is initially some opposition, he is understood by the students and also by the headmaster (Junior Balaiah). But the big hurdle comes in the form of assistant head master Singam Perumal (Thambi Ramaiah).

Samuthirakani, the director turned actor, fits the bell well. He reflects a great young teacher who strives for the betterment of the society. Thambi Ramaiah proves that he deserved the National award he won recently. Others in the cast are mostly new-comers.

Music by Thaman, especially the song 'Sahayane...', is good. Cinematography, editing and other technical aspects are just adequate.

Director Prabu Solomon, who has produced this movie, should be lauded along with Anbazhagan for making a good effort. But for the preachy tone, 'Saattai' is an honest attempt.