Nitham Oru Vaanam review: Ashok Selvan carries this travel story on his shoulders

Stories within stories are not a new concept but how the protagonist transforms through them is what Nitham Oru Vaanam is all about.

Meet Arjun (Ashok Selvan) who gets stood up by his fiancé right before they tie the knot. He is not just an introvert but also someone who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is a germophobe.

Obsessed with superheroes, the young man imagines himself in their shoes whenever he reads their stories. He thrives in this other realm, while in reality, he is seen as someone who is asocial and unfriendly.

On a road trip

Arjun is stranded at a bus stop hoping to board a bus to Kolkata. Here he meets Shubadra (Ritu Varma) who finds him irritating yet intriguing.

As they get talking, she learns about his life and why he is heading to Kolkata. This physical journey that Arjun takes is also a trope for his inner journey.

Arjun was depressed after being jilted at the altar. The family doctor (Abhirami) sends Arjun on a journey to discover himself — as he seems to have hit the pause button in his life — and also to find out the fate of two other couples (Veera and Meenakshi; Praba and Mathi), who stories Abhirami had shared with him.

Arjun imagines himself in the shoes of Veera and Praba and we see what happens to them. He becomes obsessed with the abrupt ending of their stories and this compels him to take the trip to meet them.

Not a novel offering

Director Ra Karthik’s film is not a novel offering in many ways. A troubled young man who goes on a journey of self-discovery to change himself has been recounted in many earlier films.

Perhaps what is new is the protagonist imagining himself as the other characters.

In the first story, we see Meenakshi (Shivathmika) and Veera as extremely cliched and there’s just no chemistry between the two lovers.

Ashok Selvan doesn’t seem comfortable and Shivathmika has no screen presence. But in the second story — Praba and Mathi (Aparna Balamurali) — this changes, thanks to Aparna’s high energy and superb performance.

Azhagam Perumal as her father lives up to the story as well.

Ashok Selvan’s show

This travel story, if we could call it so, rests firmly on the shoulders of Ashok Selvan who plays several characters in this romantic drama. He truly stands out as Praba and Arjun.

Dharan’s music suits the film though the songs don’t necessarily add much value to the story.

Nitham Oru Vaanam is a lesson in how to let go of negativity, make a conscious effort to be positive in life and seek happiness in whatever comes your way.