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There are many films of NT where he had given out a restrained performance but which never got the so called critics accolade. IMO, NT's portraying of Raghu in NV is a performance bordering on the brilliant among his all such roles. From the start to the finish, he is so casual and restrained but that leaves a deep impact on you. The way he utters the dialogues is itself a treat to watch.
From the begining when he brings in VG suffering from chest pain, when he is confronted by VSR, the replies by him "Sir, sagarathu romba easy ana vaazharathuthan kashtam. indha paya nenju vali nandhu nadu roadile surundu vizhundutan. vizhundhavan appadiye sethu poyirukka koodathu? innum evvalu kashtam anubhavikanumo, pozhachitan. Namma mammool vadagai sandaiyai apprum vachukovome". VSR asks him "avanukku enna kodukka pore? " NT replies "Kodukka vendiyathu apple juice, kodukka porathu 2 tumbler paanai thanni".
VG tells NT "Namma pakkathu theruvile oru periya veedu irukku" udane NT sarcastica " evanavathu athai un peyarile uyil ezhuthi vaikka porana". When KRV asks him to accompany her as some rowdy elements eve tease her, NT " Yaar athu, ennai pathi avangalukku theriyathu. Nee Panic in Bangkok parthirukiya, athule oru fight varum, andha mathiri pandhadi vidren" ithai solli vittu "pasanga vatta sattama irupangala?" , KRV " Illai", udane avarathu muga bhavathai paarka vendume "Dhairiyama vaa". Avargalai thandi vandhavudane "Paarthiyaa, naan oru paarvai paarthavudan bayandhutungaa". A scene to relish.
There is a scene when KRV is having food and NT offers to serve her. KRV is embarassed but NT insists on. The casual manner in which he does the scene is so cool. Another scene when he gives just 3 Rs as rent (VG "Saapida kooda illame ungallukka kondu vandhom"), VSR asks KRV to give them food. Immediately both of them jump and the way they start serving themselves before even KRV could start, you feel you are watching two persons in live being so hungry.When MR informs about his love his reaction is one of anger. But when he listens to the conversation between MR and KRV, you have to watch his face standing sodewards and when he tells MR to leave the house " manapoorvama raji-yai virumbalai-nu sollittu po" the camera shows his back with his right hand pointing towards the door. When MR puts his face on that hand and cries, NT's face turn towards right and you see his right side of the face and a single eye. It expresses the happiness overshadowing the dissapointment, a thing only NT can do.
Another nice scene is NT telling VG about how he feels that his love has failed. "Idhayathile oru vali vin vin-nu irukku, ana athu oru small dissapointment. Konja naalile sariyaidum". Even the death scenes of VG and VSR where there were every chances of they becoming melodramatic, he does it in a exemplary manner. His reaction when he sees the wall writing and his reaction later at the house is again noteworthy.
But the scene which takes the cake is where NT meets MR at his Bangalore office. He asks all the other employees to wait outside (to the Anglo- Indian typist " Madam, can you go out for 10 minutes, thank you" his pronounciation and gesture,wow!). When everybody leaves, he sits on MR's table and speaks so
enthusiastically not noticing MR is least interested. When MR tells him " Mudhale keezha erangu, table-i vittu erangu, get out of the table", udane NT mugam konjam konjamaga maari than anindhirukkum shirt-ai paarthukondu konjam kooni kuruguvar. Superb. When he realises that MR is adamant, his reaction would become aggressive and when MR finally agrees he leaves. MR " ana oru Nibandhanai", he would turn so stylishily with the camera focussing him from the ground and with a sarcastic look "enna nibandhanai", I was reminded of the thunderous applause it used to generate in theatres.
After the marriage when he visits their house, KRV asks him " Neenga eppadi irukeenga" ,atharkku with a resigned look " Naana, First class, first class- same shirt, same pant, first class" again a stroke of genius. The scene where he confronts MR who is in the company of Maali and Geethanjaali, the way he dismisses Maali from his presence and his act of torning the consent letter written by KRV and showering it on the head of the Geethanjaali without uttering a word, he never ceases to excite you.
I can go on and on and on but it would be repeating the obvious. Raghu character would always remain as a glittering diamond. NT's decision to do this role with his own hair do and without make up during that period is all the more praiseworthy.
Coming to others, MR is natural in the first half but when he becomes rich and starts showing animosity, he is different with always a curt look in his face, though the character demands it. Raji should be KRV's one of the best roles of her. Sridhar brings out the best in her. VG as Peter has given out a memorable performance whereas VSR as the rough exteriored but kind hearted is superb in this cameo. Another notable feature is there is no comedy track but one never feels the need for it.
N.Balakrishnan's camera work, Sridhar's down to earth dialogues (helped by Gopu) and his screen play and direction (though it seems that he is a bit not sure about how to take it forward in the second half) are the plus points.
Again MSV and Kannadasan at their best (though Vaalee chips in with one song " Nenjirukkum Engalukku").
Muthukalo Kangal ----- This ever green number will find place in top most duests of NT. A soul stirring one.
Nenjirukkum Engalukku -------- The trio sings this song. It starts from Central station and ends at Beach. The interlude between the first and second charanam is done in a single shot and you should see NT style walk. Another irony which I noticed was this song ends at the junction of Beach road and Radhakrishnan Salai and there was a fountain it seems during that time (1966? because this was released in Feb 1967) and when NT finally finishes "Naalai endra naalirukku, vazhendhe theeruvom" he stands exactly, yes you guessed it correct, at the place where his statue stands now.
Poo Mudipal Indha Poongoozhali ------ Watch this song for the poetic beauty, Sridhar's deft handling coupled with NT's expressions (this is the song where TMS voice suits NT perfectly even in dialogue)
Kannan Varum Neramithu --------- PS at her best in this dance song.
Enge Neeyo --------- One of the Super songs that doesn't need any description.
Ninaithal podhum Paaduven --- SJ's soulful rendering for Geetha.
Sridhar once remarked about this film"If only had I not listened to the distributors' words and tampered with the second half " he left it incomplete without indicating what was planned originally. Still this remains as one of his best.
For those who have not seen it, don't miss it.
To sign off, I am reminded of the booklet published during 1970 which included the comments of NT about every film of him. In that, his comment on this movie was just one word
Nenjirukkum Varai - Ninaivirukkum
Regards
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