This 2010 Uthama Puthiran should not be confused with yesteryear Sivaji Ganesan-Padmini starrer.
Rather it is a remake of boxoffice Telugu hit Ready. Shot on scenic locations — Switzerland to Venice to Greece, director Mithran Jawahar etches out a trite and tepid romantic saga that fails to enliven even an iota. Audience are made to suffer and pay the price for their folly with a festering fare foisted on them.
Shiva (Dhanush) a carefree, happy-go-lucky rich lad incurs the wrath of his parents when he helps Kalpana (Shriya) betrothed to him elope with her lover. Out of their favour and caring two hoot about it, he rescues another damsel in distress Pooja (Genelia) whom he kidnaps from another wedding she is being forced into, only to discover she is the bride. How the two then dodge innumerable uncles and villains — that are after them in proverbial cat and mouse game before final denouement forms the focus of Uthama Puthiran.
While Dhanush does his bit to shoulder the onus of keeping the interest from fanning, Genelia is just pretty maiden sashaying in designer clothes and swaying to songs amidst picturesque locales keeping Dhanush charming company. Well, Uthama is no Diwali dhamaka but a damp squib to be safely avoided.