Film Review: Happy Raj

The trailer of Happy Raj did not promise a hit film although it marks the return to the screen of former heartthrob of the screen Abbaas. With G.V. Prakash Kumar heading the cast, George Maryan to play a major supporting role and helmed by a debutante director in Maria Raja Elanchezhiyan, there was little enthusiastic about.

The first half of the film does little to change this impression. There are some examples of humour in writing, lots of inside jokes and a very relatable plot, but the pace is very slow with no apparent direction to the story or screenplay. However, the second half of the film more than makes up for the slow start – despite the dearth of popular actors in the cast.

G.V. Prakash Kumar plays Happy – or Anand Raj – a young man with an entrenched inferiority complex because of a series of events in his life. Eager to escape the trolling that comes from being the son of a man the villagers mockingly call Kuthiramuttai, he accepts a job offer in Bangalore. His budding romance with Kavya (Sri Gouri Priya) seems to be heading in the right direction until Kavya’s father, Rajiv (Abbas in his comeback role) asks to meet Happy’s parents.

Faced again with welling shame and embarrassment, Happy must figure out a way to proceed with the relationship without being further embarrassed – a feat that proves to be an increasingly difficult process.

G.V. Prakash Kumar is unfortunately the weakest link in the acting ensemble, struggling to emote naturally and further handicapped by a limited range in facial expressions and body language.

Sri Gouri Priya shows a natural comfort in the many emotions required of her role, and also shows excellent comedic timing.

Abbas delivers a memorable performance in his comeback role, bearing the brunt of many quips, jokes and references to his career and films.

Despite his lack of height in his physical frame, it is George Maryan who stands the tallest and shines the brightest among the cast. His portrayal of Happy’s father, Kathamuthu, is one very deserving of an award.

Geetha Kailasam as Hayyps mother, comedian Madurai Muthu as Happy’s close friend are the best of the others.

Premgi Amaran has a memorable guest role as the fake priest.

It is a moving and lilting soundtrack by Justin Prabhakaran and his background score, particularly in the second half, is superb.

Madhan Christopher’s cinematography makes expert use of the long shots although his experimentation with lighting is kept to the minimum.

Writer-director Maria Raja Elanzheziyan, who was assistant director to Pradeep Ranganathan in Love Today, makes an impressive but imperfect debut as a writer and director.

Despite the slow pace of the first half, Happy Raj is an entertaining film with an unforgettable message.  

Happy Raj is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and scores 7 points out of 10.