Autograph (2004) is a National awards winning Tamil feature film directed by Cheran. The film's soundtrack is composed by Bharthwaj. Cheran also plays the lead role in the film, and other cast members include Sneha, Gopika, Kanika and Mallika.

The film was released in India in February 2004, and was screened at the Lyon Asian Film Festival in France and at the Montreal World Film Festival in Canada. Upon release, the film met with critical acclaim and commercial success. A sequel to Autograph titled Autograph 2 has been announced and so far has Navya Nair along with Cheran.

[edit] Plot

This Indian romance begins with the character Senthil (Cheran) setting off on a journey, distributing wedding invitations for his forthcoming wedding. Along the way, he encounters various individuals from his past, who bring back memories of three women that have had an impact on his love life.

"It is quite natural for students to get autographs on the last day of their school and college life. But how many of them flip through the autograph book and rewind their memories in the later stages of their life. Autograph, a film, is one such attempt made by director Cheran to rewind the memories of his early childhood and youthful days with spotlight on his romantic escapades. Interestingly with no cinematic touches, Autograph is sure to delight one and all to recall their memories and enjoy the past."

The movie begins with Senthil, who runs an advertising agency, boarding a train to visit his native village to invite all his friends for his wedding.

The journey to his childhood days begins there. The happenings in the school, his tussle with his friends and his first love with his classmate, Kamal (Mallika), are all pictured realistically. Senthil reaches the village and invites all including Kamala, who promises to come to the wedding, with her husband and three children.

Then, he goes to Kerala where he had his college education. His major crush at that time was Lathika (Gopika), a Malayalee girl, with whom he falls in love but later the affair proves to be short- lived as her parents marry her off to her cousin, Madhavan. On reaching Kerala to invite her, Cheran is shattered to see his lover as a widow.

Meanwhile, he is dejected at the failure of his love affair then and he comes across a trusted friend (Sneha), who instils confidence, unearths his hidden talents and teaches him the lesson that one has to go ahead in life without looking back. However, she does not reveal the tragedy that occurred in her past. But as time passes by, she reveals that her mother is a paralytic patient and that she now has to work for survival. While she and Senthil travel on a bus, she reveals that she was in love with someone and believed that he was a good man but got cheated. She also reveals that she has cancer and doesn't have much time to live. A poetic narration on the need for a good friend has been stressed.

Towards the end, Senthil gets married to a girl of his parents choice,Kanika, and all the three girls, who had played a part in his life, and many college friends attend the wedding.

Though the first half is a realistic portrayal, more of dramatic incidents at the end make one feel the movie to be a bit of a drag.

Special appreciation should go to four cinematographers - Ravivarman, Vijay Milton, Dwarakanath and Shanki Mahendra. The music by Bharadwaj adds emotion to the movie.

Actresses Mallika, Gopika and Sneha have given their best. Also in the cast are Krishna, Ganesh Babu, Benjamin and Vel Murugan, who all play as Cheran's friends.

[edit] Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:

2005 National Film Awards (India)

• Won - Golden Lotus Award - Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment - 'Autograph' - Cheran
• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Female Playback Singer - K. S. Chithra
• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Lyrics - Pa. Vijay
• Won - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards- Autograph- Sneha

[edit] Soundtrack

The soundtrack features 7 songs composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics by Pa. Vijay:

• Gnyabagam Varudae - Bharathwaj
• Kizhakke Paarthen - Yugendran, Foni
• Maname Nalama - Bharathwaj
• Manasukkulle Dhagam - Harish Ragavendra, Reshmi
• Meesa Vecha Perandi - Kovai Kamala, Karthik
• Ninaivugal Nenjinil - Unni Menon
• Ovvoru Pookalume - K. S. Chithra

[edit] Box office

This film was a sensation and emerged as the third biggest hit of the year grossing $5 million at the box office.

This film has been remade in Telugu as Naa Autograph with Ravi Teja in the lead. It's the story and the plot that captivates the viewer. Language proved to be no bar, it still managed to draw viewers and become a commercial success.

In Kannada also, the film has been remade as My Autograph with Sudeep as director and hero, and Meena as the heroine. It was also a commercial success. Sudeep was success full as both Director and Actor role.

[edit] External links

• Autograph at the Internet Movie Database