Years ago there a comedy movie Kadhaanayagan, where the two heroes are promised a boatride to Dubai only to end up stranded in Arab robes in Cochin. Vetrikkodi Kattu too has two heroes with visions of going to Dubai and earning riches but the similarity ends there. These two don't even get as far as Cochin. They are cheated off all their money right in Madras. While the former movie used the plight of the heroes for comedy, Cheran takes a more serious look at the same grim scenario. By making his heroes find other means of success, Cheran uses the movie to convey the moral of not being besotted with the 'foreign dream' and employing one's brains in the services of one's own motherland.

After focussing on caste divisions(Bharathi Kannammaa), handicaps(Porkaalam), and corruption in politics(Desiya Geetham), Cheran turns his moralising eye on youngsters who wish to earn their riches in a foreign land. His movies so far, especially the last two, have been tearful, sad ventures with decidedly pessimistic tones and endings. Perhaps scared by the box-office reception to Desiya Geetham, he has adopted a much more upbeat tone here. For instance, Parthiban and Murali taste success a little too easily in their ventures and looking at Parthiban's frequent encounters with Vadivelu, one wouldn't think he had such a big burden to take care of. This does erode the effect of the message somewhat but he deserves to be praised for continuing to make movies with social relevance.

Muthuraman(Parthiban) and Sekhar(Murali) are two of a big group of people who have handed over their money to an unscrupulous operator(Anandraj) in the hope of obtaining visas to go to Dubai and become rich. Behind Muthuraman's effort to go to Dubai is his wife Valli(Meena). She is a rich girl who has married him against her father's wishes and wants him to succeed in life so she can face her father proudly. For Sekhar, its the lives of his mother and his sisters that are dependent on his money. Dejected by being cheated but unable to return home to destroyed dreams, they decide to switch places and inform the families that the other is living happily in Dubai. Once settled in this way, they embark upon other ventures to earn their living.

That Cheran has a better handle on tragedy is evident during the first few scenes. The sequence that begins with the large group of people handing over their hardearned money to the operator and ends with them making their way home with a heavy heart is very well handled. The sequence succeeds in making the heroes, two average, ordinary men looking to succeed in life, earn our sympathy and the initial excitement of the group that gradually changes into the realisation that they have been duped, is touching. The emotions of the large group are very well brought out in these portions. Similarly, the sequence where Charlie visits Parthiban and disguises the real reason behind his visit is also beautifully done.

The pace slows down once Parthiban and Murali settle down in each other's houses. The movie also turns more cinematic from this point. While Parthiban's endeavour contains a little reality, Murali's scheme is rather unbelievable. The director then resorts to sequences like their simultaneous visits to Palani to introduce both comedy(as they try to avoid their families) and sentiments(as they watch their family members fulfil their vows). While Meena's belief in her husband is nice, Malavika's growth of feelings for Murali is not brought out very well.

Dialogs are thought-provoking at many places. Both Rajeev's initial admonition of the group and Parthiban and Murali's combined advice at the end are sensible without sounding overly preachy. The point about Japan's rise as a nation after the atom bombs were dropped was especially nice. There are also a couple of other spots, like the play of words with the word 'karuthu', where the dialogs are clever. Unfortunately, the wordplays between Parthiban and Vadivelu, the source of so much fun in the director's own Bharathi Kannammaa, lack punch. Once the initial excitement at seeing them together again in a Cheran film wears off, their encounters are unfunny and boring. One can't help feeling that these are add-ons by Cheran to ensure he did everything possible to taste box-office success.

Parthiban's image is a hurdle in this role which requires him to portray a man burdened by his troubles. He seems more at home while making fun of Vadivelu but these scenes don't fit in with the rest of the movie. Murali is more believable in expressing his silent sorrow. Meena looks simple and lovely while Malavika is tolerable. Manorama is effective as a mother who is constantly thinking of her son. Charlie creates an unforgettable character within the few frames that he is on screen. Inspite of just verbal description of his situation, his portrayal effectively brings out the hopes and then disappointments of a man who has been cheated of all his money. Deva's songs are forgettable though the lyrics of the Karuppu... song are nice.