Autograph (2004)

Directors:

Cheran
Sudeep

Writer:

Cheran (writer)

Release Date:

14 February 2004 (India)

Genre:

Romance

Plot:

Follow Senthil's life through vignettes of his past presented by the people he visits while distributing his marriage invitations. His love life is the aspect in prime focus -- while we are presented with nuggets of other development also.

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Cheran	...	Senthil
Gopika
Kamala
Kanika	...	Thenmozhi
Mallika
Sneha
Sudeep

Country:

India

Language:

Tamil

Color:

Color

Company:

Dream Theatres

Movie Connections:

Remade as Naa Autograph (2004)

quite touching

I don't watch much Tamil cinema (mostly because I'm not familiar with it), but when I was last in India I heard many people talking about this film. They were saying it was moving and touching, something which i generally equated to overwrought melodrama.

Almost eight months later, I came across the DVD for "Autograph" by accident, and decided to give it a try. I was shocked.

This was an excellent picture, done with care and a lot of heart. Sure there are a few (and only a rare few) overly melodramatic moments, but overall it really touched me. Anyone (especially men) who have gone through the turmoils of relationships broken or incomplete will feel a joyfully sorrow connection to this film. I was moved by its honesty and quite frank look at relationships, and it brought a smile to my face when the film reveled in the exuberance and innocence of childhood crushes and young infatuation.

I rarely recommend modern commercial Indian cinema (because most of it is unfortunately subpar), but this is a lovely little film, definitely an engaging romantic drama. Kudos to the director/ writer Cheran for doing excellent work with visuals and performances, and I hope he continues to make such honest films in the future. 8/10