The protagonist Harish runs a TASMAC bar and has also started an organization called the “Alcohol Lovers Renaissance Association,” serving as its president. Usually, bar owners drink alcohol only after completing all their work, but protagonist Harish drinks even before opening his bar. The heroine Thanalakshmi, who is studying medicine, falls in love with him despite the fact that he is intoxicated almost all the time.
Harish and his friends remain under the influence of alcohol at all times, while many people suffer in various ways because of alcohol addiction. However, they do not care about these consequences and continue to give importance to drinking. Their family members try in several ways to change their habits, but their efforts fail.
Meanwhile, prohibition is implemented across India. Alcohol lovers and those addicted to alcohol struggle without access to liquor and begin searching for alternatives. At one point, they realize that no matter what they try, they cannot drink alcohol again, and they begin living their lives without alcohol. As a result, happiness returns to their families, and they regain respect in society.
Just when everyone is happy that everything has returned to normal, circumstances arise for liquor shops to reopen. Do the protagonist and the others who had overcome their drinking habits fall back into addiction after liquor shops reopen? Or do they continue living their reformed lives? ‘Nalla Padam’ tells this story with a sense of social responsibility.
Dr. A. Harish, who plays the protagonist, looks youthful like a college student, which makes it somewhat difficult for him to convincingly fit into the roles of an alcoholic and a bar owner. At the same time, he delivers the required performance effectively. He handles the comedy scenes well and makes the audience laugh, while also attracting attention in the romantic and song sequences. If he chooses roles that suit him, he could certainly establish a place among Tamil cinema heroes.
Thanalakshmi, who plays the heroine, effectively handles the character who falls in love with the hero and persistently pursues him despite his drinking habit. She looks particularly charming in the song sequences.
Kalki Raja, who plays the protagonist’s friend, scores well in the comedy scenes. His distinctive mannerisms, dialogue delivery and inner-voice sequences make the audience laugh.
Motta Rajendran, Rama, Priyadarshini and all the other actors have performed their respective roles without shortcomings.
Cinematographer Iniyan J. Harish has worked according to the requirements of the story. Although the dialogue portions are presented simply, the song sequences have been filmed with a youthful feel, making them enjoyable for the audience.
The songs composed by Sahishna Xavier are pleasant to listen to, while the background score moves in accordance with the story. Editor P.R. Prakash has also done a satisfactory job.
Writer-director Prabhu Ram. C has presented a solution to help people overcome the increasing prevalence of alcohol addiction in the present-day situation.
The government sells liquor with the warning, “Alcohol is injurious to the country and the family.” Director Prabhu Ram. C strongly emphasizes that only by completely shutting down liquor shops can people who are immersed in alcohol addiction be brought back from it.
As a film, although the director’s intended message is presented somewhat unevenly despite the movie being made on a small budget, director Prabhu Ram. C, producer A. Azhagu Pandian and protagonist Harish deserve appreciation for attempting to convey a socially responsible and extremely important message for the country in a commercial and entertaining comedy format.
