Paiyaa

“Paiyaa” (2010) is a Kollywood action-adventure film by N. Lingusamy. It stars Karthi and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles. The story follows Shiva, an easy-going youngster, who agrees to drive a woman named Charulatha to Mumbai, only to find themselves chased by two different gangs for separate reasons.

Shiva, an unemployed graduate staying in Bangalore, falls for Charu at first sight. One day, Charu and a strange man misidentify Shiva as a taxi driver and ask him to drive them to Chennai. Shiva, despondent over his new life, agrees. Halfway through, Charu convinces Shiva to drive away, abandoning the man. She then reveals that she is running from an in-place marriage and wants to travel to Mumbai to find asylum with her grandmother. Shiva is onboard, and as they drive north, they are pursued first by a gang dispatched by Charu’s father and then by a gang coming after Shiva because of a previous tussle that Shiva had with a Mumbai gangster named Baali. Shiva suddenly realizes that in a drunken night of violence during a layover in Mumbai years ago, he had raped Baali. Now, unfortunately, both Charu and Shiva are as well known on the radar of their enemies.

Once they arrive in Mumbai, Shiva takes Charu to her grandmother’s home and slips away silently. Charu, defying convention yet again, storms out a second time and runs into Shiva on the roadside. Just then, both gangs ambush each other, but Shiva valiantly fights them off and protects Charu. Charu’s friend Priya spills the beans and tells Charu that it’s actually Shiva who’s in love with her. Moved by his sincerity and courage, Charu finally admits her love for Shiva, and the two embark on a beautiful journey of togetherness.

“Paiyaa” is an appealing road escapade combining romance, action and whimsy. Karthi makes a strong impression with his energetic performance. Tamannaah lends a certain grace to her character. Full of catchy songs, colourful visuals, and electrifying action sequences, the film promises a feel-good joyride full of romance, adventure, and passion.