Chikku Bhukku

Chikku Bhukku, a Tamil romantic travelogue film released in 2010, beautifully brings alive the classic elements of love, destiny, and journeys. The movie was directed by K. Manikandan and features Arya, Shriya Saran, and Preetika Rao in the leading roles.

Chikku Bhukku is an engaging story that's primarily centered around travel, encouraging the viewers to momentarily break free from their mundane lives and virtually journey with the main characters. It predominantly follows the lives of two protagonists - Arya and Shriya Saran - who narrate their interlocked destiny that started shaping two decades ago through their parents' love story.

Arya, portrayed by the talented actor of the same name, is introduced as a London-based DJ who's forced to return to India after receiving the unexpected news of his father's death. Despite being unprepared for the emotionally challenging situation, Arya is forced to redirect his luxurious life in London to sort out family matters back in India.

Parallelly, the film introduces us to Shriya Saran's character, a practical, undeterred woman hailing from a traditional Indian family. She too, like Arya, finds herself en route to India for entirely different reasons.

As the story progresses, viewers come to see how both our protagonists, with significantly different lives and personalities, meet through a set of unexpected circumstances. They find themselves forced to embark on the journey together back to India, essentially starting the travelogue part of the movie. The skillful director leverages the beauty of this journey to paint a colorful canvas of intense emotions and rising affection between Arya and Shriya Saran.

As Arya and Shriya Saran navigate through numerous locations, encountering various people and cultures, they also unravel the past – their parents' intertwined romantic saga. This subplot, featuring the charming Preetika Rao, offers a beautifully woven narrative about the unfulfilled romance between their parents that happened two decades ago, adding another layer of complexity and intrigue.

The director dexterously uses flashbacks to unravel this subplot, weaving the past and the present seamlessly. The parallels drawn between the past and the present are undeniably fascinating, with the story reaching new emotional heights as the protagonists delve deeper into the past.

Throughout the film, viewers are treated to a visual rendition of different cultures, stunning landscapes, and beautiful locations, with the change in scenery accurately reflecting the changes in our characters' relationship.

Even as love begins to bloom between Arya and Shriya, they must reconcile their blooming feelings with their shared, complicated past. The film beautifully showcases how love can emerge in the unlikeliest of circumstances and how fate can draw people together regardless of their differing backgrounds.

The film's cinematography demands appreciation as it helps to create engaging visuals that appeal to the viewers’ senses. The picturesque landscapes and fascinating city-life shots enhance the film's overall visual appeal. Adding to the storytelling is an enchanting musical score by Hariharan and Leslie Lewis, which ebbs and flows smoothly with the narrative.

Besides, the performances by Arya and Shriya Saran provide a driving force to the film, with their chemistry setting the screen on fire. Preetika Rao’s portrayal of the mother’s character in the past, delivers a compelling and emotional performance, providing an essential core to the narrative.

Chikku Bhukku isn’t just about love and travel. It also echoes a sentimental narrative that time and distance mean little when destiny has its plans. The characters' emotional voyage combined with their physical journey forms the heart of this film.

In conclusion, for viewers looking for an engaging romantic story with a balance of sentiment, comedy, and drama, Chikku Bhukku is an excellent pick. As the film reaches its climax, there are surprises that keep the audience guessing right till the end. An overall impressively executed film, Chikku Bhukku, is a journey that encapsulates the unpredictability and beauty of life and love.