The film 3 BHK marks a departure from director Sri Ganesh’s debut film 8 Thottakkal (2017), a crime thriller, as he opted for an emotional family drama for his second venture. Drawing inspiration from Aravindh Sachidanandam’s book “3BHK Veedu”, Ganesh crafted the story of 3 BHK. To portray the character’s different life stages, Siddharth underwent a significant transformation to convincingly play a teenager and later a forty-year-old man. The film features R. Sarathkumar and Devayani as Siddharth’s parents, a middle-class couple striving to own a three-bedroom home.
Story
After releasing a heartwarming trailer that captured the audience’s attention, the film hit theaters. The story revolves around Vasudevan (R. Sarathkumar), a middle-class family man, who dreams of owning a home to create beautiful memories with his wife (Devayani) and two children, Prabhu (Siddharth) and Aarthy (Meetha Raghunath). The narrative explores the challenges faced by the family in achieving their goal.
Performances
Siddharth delivers a standout performance as Prabhu, convincingly portraying the character’s various life stages spanning twenty-five years. Notably, his teenage appearance is remarkably believable, defying the common pitfalls of de-aging in films. He brings a superb depth to the role of a middle-class son throughout the film.
R. Sarathkumar shines as Vasudevan, delivering a commendable performance that brings authenticity to the character’s journey from middle age to old age. Meetha Raghunath also performs well as Aarthy, particularly standing out in a pivotal sequence in the second half. Devayani makes a strong presence as the loving mother, bringing a sense of warmth to the film.
Yogi Babu adds comic relief as a real estate agent with his characteristic dialogue delivery and screen presence. Chaithra J. Achar, as Aishu, delivers a good performance and shares a pleasant on-screen chemistry with Siddharth, particularly excelling in a few sequences in the second half.
Behind the scenes
The film’s music, scored by Amrit Ramnath, complements the narrative without being intrusive. The cinematography by Dinesh B. Krishnan and Jithin Stanislaus is neat, capturing the required essence. While Ganesh Siva’s editing is generally good, it could have been more refined in the second half. The production values by Shanthi Talkies are commendable, and the producers are appreciated for backing a feel-good emotional drama.
Final Verdict
3 BHK, directed by Sri Ganesh, tells the relatable story of a middle-class Indian family striving to purchase their dream home. The film explores the sacrifices and challenges faced by families, evoking nostalgia through various emotional and humorous moments. While the first two acts are realistic, the third act’s departure from this tone, particularly the lead character’s decision to pursue passion over stable employment, feels unrealistic.
Additionally, some parts of the second half may drag due to unexpected obstacles. Despite its flaws, 3 BHK offers a heartfelt portrayal of family struggles, making it a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy emotionally driven dramas.
