‘Pokkiri Simon’ is less of a tribute to a superstar, and beneath all the confetti, wolf whistles and blaring horns lurks a tale that’s all set to go on a detour. And when it does, it takes the entire film with it, toppling down like a pack of cards, and very soon losing its way among done-to-death plotways.
The climax sequence in ‘Pokkiri Simon’ features a lengthy action sequence, and in place of the routine brick walls and glass panes that uncomplainingly wait to be shattered, you get to see a brightly lit up garage with shades of red all over, where they have gathered around for the rendezvous.
You remind yourself that the objective of the film maker must certainly have been to make his film as vivid and vibrant as it possibly could be. He unloads buckets of hues all over, and ensures that each frame of his film resembles a canvas piece, and in the frenzy, very conveniently forgets that his film needs to have a compelling story as well.
Jijo Antony’s ‘Pokkiri Simon’ anchors itself in Trivandrum, a city that has a multitude of Vijay fans. Leading the fan pack is Simon (Sunny Wayne),who along with Iyer (Nedumudi Venu), Ganesh (Appani Ravi), Noushad (Saiju Kurup) and Biju (Jacob Gregory), live the Vijay dream – of meeting the star some day and shooting a picture with him.
This backdrop of star adulation takes up the first twenty minutes of the film, and thereafter it shows signs of fizzling out gradually. When the focus shifts to Simon and the rest of the gang, there arises the dire need for a tale to push the film any forward, beyond the initial exultation and euphoria that is celebrated with aplomb.
It is the story that backfires, and when Arjunan (Shammi Thilakan) and his brother (UClamp Rajan) walk into the picture, ‘Pokkiri Simon’ suspiciously starts resembling those many flicks in the late nineties, which had the young, reactionary hero waging a war against wrong; where he would not stop until he is assured that justice is served.
Simon falls in love as well, and that too with a girl (Prayaga Martin) whom he had once noticed whistling away to glory, as Vijay appeared on screen. His search for her leads him to her dad (Vijay Menon in an umpteenth English speaking role) and doggy, and while the former throws him out of the house in no time, the latter aids him in winning her heart.
The police station scenes are reminiscent of ‘Action Hero Biju’, and for a while it even seems like the film has been heavily inspired by ‘Amar Akbar Antony’, or its climax rather. A heavy haze of borrowed insights does hang around in the air, and ‘Pokkiri Simon’ clumsily slogs ahead through this swishy swamp.
Sunny Wayne as Simon does his very best, and comes out trumps, while Appani Ravi and UClamp Rajan emerge as the scene stealers. There is also a commendable performance from veteran actor Renuka as Simon’s mom. Dileesh Pothan appears in a noteworthy cameo, while Nedumudi finds himself on awkward ground.
‘Pokkiri Simon’ is less of a tribute to a superstar, and beneath all the confetti, wolf whistles and blaring horns lurks a tale that’s all set to go on a detour. And when it does, it takes the entire film with it, toppling down like a pack of cards, and very soon losing its way among done-to-death plotways.
Verdict: Tiresome