Stories on father-daughter relationship are rarely made in Tamil cinema. Filmmaker K S Ravikumar, who is known for commercial entertainers, has tried his hands at a touchy tale, however quite typical to his style. There is action, romance and sentiment in the movie which has a strong storyline too.
Unlike earlier movies of Ravikumar, 'Jaggubhai' doesn't involve a huge star cast but the artistes have a role to play in the script. Ravikumar has woven the screenplay around Sarath Kumar and Shriya with enough scope for sentiments and emotions. The whole story is set in Australia.
The movie, seemingly inspired by Japanese film 'Wasabi', does leave an impact with audience. Ravikumar has made certain changes that suit to the taste of the local audience.
Jaganathan (Sarath Kumar) is a tough cop, who is known for his rude ways of handling criminals. A bachelor, Jagannathan is dreaded by baddies. One day he gets a call from Australia informing him that his girl friend (Ilavarasi), who he met last some two decades ago had died and that her last wish was that a girl child born to her and Jaganathan be taken care by him.
Jaganathan sets on a trip to Australia to realise her last wish. Flashback reveals the incidents that took place 20 years ago. Jaganathan had been to the abroad country then as an under cover. He goes to the place disguised as Jaggubhai to catch a dreaded criminal (Hamid Ansari).
The Australian government provides a police officer called Man In Black (Goundamani) to help Jaggubhai. One day, Jaggubhai comes across a young girl (Ilavarasi) and slowly develops an affinity with her, He comes to know that she works for the don whom he is searching for.
He hatches a plan by which he decides to marry her. For the wedding cones the don. There a drama unfolds and the don manages to escape holding the girls's father as bait. Coming to know that Jaggubhai had chosen to marry her only for catching the baddie, she starts to hate him and deserts him.
Come to present, Jaganathan lands in Australia and meets Man in Black. He also meets Monica (Shriya), his daughter. But hides the truth that he is her father and befriends her in the pretext of her care taker. The rest of the events are all how Jagannathan with the help of Man In Black wins over her confidence.
Sarath Kumar, who had played a mass hero untill now, settles down to play a father. Shouldering a major burden, he seems to have come up trumps bringing out the emotions of a dotting dad who wants to reunite with his daughter. He vents out anger, dejection and yearning for the love of his daughter very well.
Shriya, who untill now, has been seen as glamdoll in the industry, has played a spoilt brat. She is chirpy and active all through. Comedian Goundamani makes a comeback to play Sarath Kumar's friend, who helps him in his mission. He is as usual is impressive with his one-liners.
The action scenes are the hallmark of the movie especially in the climax. The grand locations of Australia and the peppy background score are the USP. Produced by Radhika Sarath Kumar, Jaggubhai is no mindless masala movie, but an emotional tale which sustains interest in good parts.
