Inbaa is about reclaiming your lost life through love. Inbaa (Shaam), who is sent to a borstal (reformatory school for juvenile criminals) at a young age, is released and he decides to put his life back on track. He gets a job as a bartender but has to quit the job after a scuffle. Priya (Sneha) is a headstrong college girl whose brother Mala Ganesan (Arun Pandian) is a rowdy. Rupan (Aravind), a good-for-nothing in college, teases Priya who informs her brother who beats up Rupan. However, Rupan is out to get revenge. Fearing that Rupan might harm his sister, Ganesan appoints Inbaa as her bodyguard.

Initially, Priya insults Inbaa as she feels he is an intrusion in her privacy. But circumstances force her to see the goodness in Inbaa and predictably, she falls in love with him. But Inbaa ignores her. However, Mala Ganesan comes to know of Priya's love for Inbaa and decides to eliminate him so that Priya forgets Inbaa. But his move backfires; Inbaa gets to know and hence reciprocates the deep love that Priya has for him. 

He opens his heart to Priya and tells her all about his past. In the flashback, we come to know that Inbaa was an excellent student. We also learn how his life was ruined by his classmate Jothi (Poornitha) for whom he had developed a crush. Do Inbaa and Priya get together? Does Mala Ganesan accept their love or does he die a violent death? Does Rupan take his revenge on Priya? These questions are answered in an engaging second half.

Shaam as Inbaa, with his brooding bearded look, has performed well. The actor has also improved upon his dialogue delivery, which was long considered his weak point. One wonders why directors offer this talented actor only lover boy roles. Sneha, as the initially headstrong and later the love-struck Priya, comes with a performance that is natural and appealing. Poornitha, who appears in the flashback, shows her potential in a negative role.

Arun Pandian as the caring brother is apt for the role but his dialogue delivery is weak. It is good to see actresses Sulakshana and Rekha on the screen after a long time. Aravind of Chennai 600028 fame as Rupan adds a psychotic shade to his character that makes the character repulsive. Adithya as the corrupt SP fits the bill, but we think he is getting stereotyped in this role. 'Thalaivasal' Vijay comes up with an endearing performance in his brief appearance.

Debut music director P.B. Balaji, who was earlier a keyboard artist with A.R. Rahman, has come out with some interesting songs, especially the foot-tapping 'Mehbooba' and the fast-paced 'Yaro Yaro'. Sai Trilok has done a good job in capturing the lush locales of the hill station. The picturisation of the 'Mayakalli' number is indeed a visual delight. Editing by G.R. Anil Malnad could have been tighter.

Director S.T. Vendhan has come with a routine storyline and has tried to differentiate his film in the presentation. But did he have to include the initial scenes in the reformatory? Frequent songs in the second half slow down the tempo of narration. Otherwise Vendhan, with his sensible direction, makes Inbaa worth watching.

Click here to watch the trailer!

Inbaa Photo Gallery

Shaam's Photo Gallery