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        A movie on commercial sex worker? In this box-office driven Kollywood, almost all the directors usually shudder to lay their hands on such a sensitive theme. This hero-centric film industry with all its complexities hardly allows any filmmaker to think beyond the lines of action, romance and humour.

        Flash in the pan was veteran K Balachander, who in early 1970s itself had the courage and conviction to come out with films on 'such' women. He picturised the travails of these 'cursed' human beings in a poignant manner.

        Perhaps, taking cue from KB, director Padma Magan has centered his film on a commercial sex worker. Interestingly, the woman takes up the oldest profession voluntarily and develops a fascination for her 'job'. It is a tightrope walk for Padma Magan, who seems to have handled the situation well. He manages to bring out the pitiable living condition of such women without much exaggeration on the screen.
 
 

        But what separates Padma Magan from KB is that the latter had created the right impact and brought out the emotion with a sense of subtlety.

        Parthiban stands tall in the role of a passionate Tamil writer. His subtle emotions and underplayed expressions works out well. He needs a pat on the back for agreeing to be part of a movie, where the hero plays an insignificant role.

        In contrast, the bubbly young Bharathi as the protoganist Ammu steals the show. A welcome addition to Tamil cinema.

        If Balachander has been an inspiration for Padma Magan, it is obvious that his heroine seems to have role modelled herself for the character inspired by Saritha, an actress, whose talents were unearthed by KB.

        Ammu (Bharathi) is an orphan brought up in a prostitute's house. Brought up in such atmosphere, she develops a fascination for the world's oldest profession and gets into it.

        She comes across a writer Parthiban, who chooses to pen a novel on the life of a commercial sex worker. Her childlike innocence wins over Parthiban's heart. He decides to marry her and pen a novel on her.

        Eventually, Parthiban completes his novel Ammuvagiya Naan and hopes for a National award for it. But fate pays a cruel act in the form of Mahadevan, president of a literary association.

        He makes a crude bargain with Parthiban. What happens next forms the climax.

        Cinematographer M S Prabhu and music director Sabesh - Murali's have understood the intricacies of the script and contributed their mite. The fact that Sabesh- Murali have opted for tablas and flute instead of using jarring heavy instruments is worth a mention.

        At many places, they have let silence speak.

        A daring offbeat film by Padma Magan, which may take him to the next league. But the complete conviction to handle such a theme is sadly missing here.