It's action unstoppable and a sure hat-trick for Karthi. Paruthiveeran created a new trend in Tamil cinema, Aayirathil Oruvan followed a similar fast track course and now again Paiyya begins, moves and ends on an incredible top gear.

For the finicky and the fastidious, the happenings are bound to be unrealistic and even impossible, but for the man on the street who enters the cinema hall looking for sheer high velocity action, screenplay writer and director Lingusamy's Paiyya provides sumptuous fare. After weeks of flashy trailers, ads and news reports, Paiyya is finally here. For the first time, Karthi is seen as a stylish urban hero; Tamannaah adds a dash of glamour and of course with Yuvanshankar Raja's thumping music, Paiyya has raised expectations almost to breaking-point.

What is it about?

The film opens in Bangalore where Shiva (Karthi), an engineering graduate with a carefree attitude, is on the lookout for a job. His friends are more serious in searching a job for him. One day, he comes across Charu (Tamannaah) at a bus stop and it's love at first sight for him. Shiva goes to the railway station to pick a friend who owns a car that he and his friends drive. But destiny has something else for him! He meets the terribly tensed Charu with her uncle (they mistake Karthi to be a cab driver), who ask him to drop them at Chennai. At one point, when they stop at a petrol bunk for refueling, Charu ask Shiva to start the car leaving her uncle behind! There begins the racy action journey of Paiyya. Watch the film to know the rest of the story! The story also has a small flashback for Shiva in the form of Balli (Milind Soman), a dreadful don in Mumbai.

Who is in it?

Karthi excels in all the fields; his sideway glances, mischievous looks, anger, curiosity and stylish costumes are a treat to watch. Tamannaah is fresh and gorgeous. Jagan, who comes in the second half, is brilliant. All the villains and Karthi's friends have done their parts without flaws. Though handsome Milind Soman has been wasted with a weaker role, he has given his best.

Yuvanshankar Raja's musical score is appreciable as almost all the songs are impressive. The background score enhances the grip over certain sequences. The beautiful 'En Kadhal Solla', the pleasing 'Adada Mazhai' and the brilliant 'Thuli Thuli' are definitely treats to watch.

Mathi's cinematography has extraordinary quality as exotic locales in Karnataka and Maharashtra have been shot well. Anthony's editing is sleek and stylish, helping the film's screenplay greatly. Rajeevan's art work is neat and beautiful.

With the first half filled with fun, love and some enjoyable songs, the post-intermission sequences are a very big disappointment for audiences with some unrealistic fight sequences where the hero bashes some 50 goons. Some sequences in the second half could have been chopped to tighten the pace of the film.

Overall, Paiyya is one of the best commercial entertainers of the recent past! For those who love cars, fights, and romance, Paiyya is a treat to watch!

Paiyya songs

Paiyya photo gallery 

Reviewed by Ambili.S