Oho Enthan Baby (Starring Rudra & Mithila Palkar): A Refreshing Love Story That Stumbles Near the Finish Line
There was a time when heartwarming romantic entertainers were a regular fixture in Tamil cinema. But over the years, the charm has faded, and what remains often feels watered downâpushing many to revisit nostalgic gems from the â90s and early 2000s. Enter Oho Enthan Babyâa film that, from its trailer, promised a fresh take on love, tinged with modern-day conflicts. But does it truly deliver on that promise? Letâs dive in.
##Plot Overview
##Ashwin (Rudra), a struggling assistant director, lands a dream opportunity: to pitch his scripts to actor Vishnu Vishal (playing himself). Heâs accompanied by his manager King (Redin Kingsley), a hilariously blunt voice of reason. After dismissing two uninspired ideas, Vishnu challenges Ashwin to come up with a love storyâsomething Vishnu hasnât tackled yet in his career.
##Reluctantly, Ashwin begins narrating a romantic tale with an unfinished ending⊠because itâs his own. What unfolds is a layered, deeply personal narrative revolving around his relationship with Meera (Mithila Palkar), a doctor, and the painful breakup that still haunts him. Vishnu pushes Ashwin to confront his pastâand Meeraâto find closure and finish the story. Will Ashwin find peace, in love and in his art?
##Narrative Strengths
Written by Mukesh Manjunath and helmed by debutant Krishnakumar Ramkumar, Oho Enthan Baby is a refreshingly grounded romantic drama. The film cleverly uses a story-within-a-story framework, offering both meta-commentary and emotional resonance. The first half breezes by, thanks to snappy writing, self-aware humour, and well-paced emotional arcs.
##From pop-culture nods like Jana Nayagan, to fun moments involving Ajithâs racing career and Sooriâs sweets, the film places itself firmly in todayâs cultural landscape. These references donât feel forcedâthey serve as smart, engaging touches that invite the audience in.
##Ashwin and Meeraâs relationship dynamic is both relatable and complex. Their chemistry isnât built on textbook romance, but on tension, contrast, and quiet vulnerability. The script doesnât glorify Ashwinâs flawsâVishnu calls him out, and King even labels him âtoxic.â This kind of narrative accountability is rare and welcome in romantic storytelling.
##Where It Falls Short
However, as the film enters its final stretch, the freshness begins to fade. The screenplay slips into familiar territory with clichĂ©d tropes and rushed resolutions. One glaring misstep is how Meera, despite being in the right for most of the film, is made to shoulder the emotional burden and apologiseâa dated narrative device that clashes with the filmâs otherwise progressive tone.
##Subplots like Ashwinâs unhappy family background are touched on but never fully developed. Meeraâs mother (Geetha Kailasam) appears with narrative potential but ultimately adds little to the storyâs emotional payoff.
##Performances & Craft
Rudra, in his debut, delivers an earnest performance. He stands out in intense sequences but falters slightly in softer, romantic scenesâsomething time and experience will likely polish. Mithila Palkar brings warmth, strength, and emotional honesty to Meera, making her character feel real and grounded.
##The supporting castâNivashini, Nirmal Kumar, Vijaysarathy, Kasthuri, and Karunakaranâbring subtle layers to the narrative. Redin Kingsley shines in his role, balancing comic relief with sincere insights.
##Krishnakumarâs eye for visuals, honed through his ad filmmaking background, is evident throughout. Harish Kannanâs cinematography brings vibrancy and depth to even the simplest scenes, adding aesthetic value to the emotional tone.
##Music by Jen Martin is one of the filmâs highlights. His tracks are not just catchy but emotionally resonantâserving the story rather than interrupting it.
##Final Thoughts
Oho Enthan Baby is an honest, contemporary look at love and the emotional baggage that often comes with it. Itâs smart, funny, and occasionally profoundâespecially in its first half. While the second half stumbles with predictability and some outdated choices, the film still manages to connect, thanks to its humour, emotional core, and self-aware storytelling.
##A commendable debut effort that almost soarsâOho Enthan Baby may not be a modern classic, but it definitely has its heart in the right place.
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