Films celebrating empowerment of women are rare in Tamil cinema. ‘Aval Peyar Thamizharasi’ is one such flick that is more heroine-centric with a strong storyline. Debutant filmmaker Meera Kadhiravan deserves a pat for trying something away from regular commercial films.

A love story in rural milieu might be a common thing in Kollywood. But Meera Kadhiravan narrating it with Thol Pavai (an ancient form of entertainment in Tamil culture) as the backdrop sustains interest. The director manages to narrate the story in visuals. A major portion of the first half mesmerises the audience with his straightforward and simple handling of the screenplay.

It is a commanding show by Meera Kadhiravan who does have a grip not just over his story but also his artistes. He seems to have obtained what he wanted form them. Interestingly the lead pair, their urge to be together and spend all time with each other in the first half has been brought out well by Kadhiravan.

However things are not all that fine in the latter half especially towards the climax, as the lead pair could have come out with stronger emotions on screen.

Unlike typical Tamil cinema, the scenes unfold in a manner as feel like reading a novel. Siva Rao (Veera Santhanam), is a Thol Pavai puppeteer who along with his family goes around villages performing the art for his survival. He is struggling to make both ends meet.

When they land up in Tirunelveli, a rich man Chelladurai (Theodre Baskaran) decides to support the family for his young grandson Jothi (Jai) loves the art and their family. Thamizharasi (newcomer Nandhagi), the grand daughter of Siva Rao is enrolled in a local school, who grows up and works hard to pass out in flying colours in her higher secondary.

Evan as she gets admission in an engineering college in Pune, Jothi and Thamizharasi develop affinity for each other. Unable to leave her, Jothi does a 'wild thing' which changes her life. As a result, Jothi is forced to leave the village by his grandfather, who returns after a couple of years to see Thamizharasi nowhere. The rest is all about how Jothi travels from pillar to post to reach out for Thamizharasi and repents for his acts that altered her life all together.

Jai and Nandhagi play their part well in the first half. They are equally supported by a team of newcomers and fresh faces. ‘Ganja’ Karuppu in a comedy cameo is adequate. Theodore Baskaran does his role with aplomb. Kavya, the young Thamizharasi, was bubbly.

Surprisingly Vijay Antony, known for his racy and peppy beats astounds everyone with a splendid show in ‘APT’. A mix of melody and rural folk, his songs travels well with the story. P G Muthiah's cinematography is the film’s backbone. His capturing the barren lands of the rustic village, the colourful background of Thol Pavai is visual treat. Equally appealing is art director S S Murthy's work.

Moser Baer’s Dhananjayan and Blue Ocean have proved in the past that they are committed to provide quality entertainment to the audience and they are here to support new talents with novel and innovative themes. ‘APT’ has proved it again.

All said ‘Aval Peyar Thamizharasi’ is a movie that is engaging and enjoyable.