Fast Facts:
  • 35th Tamil film of the year 2002.
  • This is the first film for Sruthika.
  • This is the first film for director Pushpavaasagan.
  • Second film that has Surya acting as a rowdy.
What's the big idea behind 'Shri'?

It's a strong myth that a rowdy hero is a sure way to make a film run well at the box office?

In 'Nanda', we had Surya yearning for his mother's affection. In this film, Surya, for a change yearns for his father's affection. Except for the climax, they makers of this film have beautifully copied 'Nanda'.

Father Vijayakumar nurtures hatred for Surya thinking that he is responsible for his daughter's death. Towards the end, amidst some tough emotional clashes, the father and son unite.

Throughout the film it's not clear why Surya and Vijayakumar fight with each other. This makes the very foundation of the film look shaky.

Surya's temper and intensity is mind blowing. The way he expresses his anger is poetic. There's one problem though- his side kicks look malnourished and weak. They don't fit the description of henchmen.

Everybody in the film talks the Brahman Tamil with exception to Surya. Moreover, the term 'agrahaaram' is extinct in this new millennium. Why revive it?

A family turns up at Vijayakumar's house seeking the hand of his daughter. Nothing seems wrong or offensive in the way they asked. S, why exactly are Vijayakumar and Surya at each other's throats?

Shruthika has got loads of youthfulness with her. Acting might catch up with her as time passes by. Gayathri Jayaram appears and then disappears. That's all.

Since the story itself is full of gaping holes, the sentimental acting of Vijayakumar and Sreevidhya doesn't stay in our minds for long. Extremely forgettable their performances turned out to be, for no fault of theirs.

TS Muralidharan's music score is nothing spectacular. Only 'Yaam irukka bhayam yaen' scores a pass percentage.

With the story itself hanging by a weak thread, its no surprise that the screenplay and characters are just drifting in and out. Poor Fans! They have only Surya's involvement with the story and the film to console themselves with.