Selfie movie review: GV Prakash, Gautham Menon elevate this decently engaging thriller

3/5

Story: An engineering student who joined the course owing to pressure from his father soon realizes the huge business potential behind college admissions. He decides to join the bandwagon along with a few friends to make quick money. But little did he know that his smartness and enthusiasm aren't enough to make a mark in the business because of the heavy risks and competition involved in it. An unexpected wrong move lands him in trouble after which he locks horns with a veteran in the business. Will he be able to carve a niche for himself?

Review: Only a handful of Tamil films have touched upon stories that revolve college admission which is a huge money-spinner. It is a surprise considering the huge number of colleges in Tamil Nadu and the unfortunate fact that it involves unlimited scam. Mathi Maaran's Selfie attempts to dive deep into this topic.  

Its story revolves around (Kanal) an engineering student who gets the shock of his life after realizing that his family was cheated of ₹2 lakh in the name of donation to college. Though an aspiring businessman, he joined engineering only out of compulsion from his father. He soon understands the huge business opportunity that is hidden behind college admissions in the city.

Despite knowing that Ravivarma (Gautham Menon) is a big shot in the business, he decides to test his luck along with his friends and a lecturer from his college. However, his first attempt in the business lands him in the soup after a parent cancels a booked admission.

Kanal and friends express their difficulty in paying back the money which has already been spent. The issue becomes serious after a police complaint is filed against him and his friends. Upon noticing that students have forayed into the business, Ravivarma intervenes in the situation, leading to the death of a student. Will Kanal be able to stand up against Ravi and leave a mark in the business?

The prime positive aspect of the film is GV Prakash's convincing performance. After playing a slew of similar characters in terms of body language and appearance, the actor-musician's portrayal of an ambitious youngster who makes smart moves helps viewers transport into the world of college admission and the politics and scams involved in it.

His romantic scenes with Madhavi (Varsha Bollamma) are okayish, though the latter doesn't have much to do after a few initial engaging scenes. Her role is surprisingly cut down as the story progresses. Gautham Menon, as the ruthless businessman who rules the admission sector, entertains with his flawless performance. 

His subtle, yet effective expressions and body language convey the required emotions. We rarely get to see the family life of antagonists in movies. It was riveting to see that a cold-blooded businessman who doesn't think twice in finishing off his enemies in a jiffy is a devoted husband and a father.

DG Gunanidhi as a hapless college student plays his part well and comes up with the right emotions. Sangili Murugan, Vidya Pradeep, Sreeja Ravi, Thangadurai and Sam Paul, too, make their presence felt.

The manner in which Mathi Maaran approaches the plot without any deviation deserves praise. Though better research on the education scam would have made the movie even more interesting, the fast-paced narration from the word go allows viewers to invest in the proceedings. Vishnu Rangasamy's cinematography aids the narration and GV Prakash's background score lifts the mood in many scenes.

On the downside, despite having a solid plot and decently etched characters, the movie doesn't come up with captivating sequences which leave you stunned. The hero-villain conflict falls flat. The twists and turns work only in parts. The climax is rushed because of which we get a sense of emptiness. A little more attention to the screenplay and making could have done wonders for the movie.  

Verdict: The film is a decent thriller and is comparatively better considering GV Prakash's recent outings.

Selfie is streaming on aha Tamil.