When Rohini visits her daughter after a lengthy separation in RK Productions' and Wunderbar Film's film 3, 3, there's a pivotal scene where her eyes rove over her face, noticing all that's changed about her. A scene with a very feminine perspective, as well as one that is really refreshing.

Aishwarya R Dhanush's directorial debut has been in the news for a number of reasons: she is the daughter of superstar Rajnikanth, the male lead is her husband National Award winner Dhanush, who is paired with Shruti Haasan, and, of course, there's the sensational "Why this Kolaveri di?" which has taken the world by storm.

So, does the picture live up to the great expectations it has sparked? In some ways, it succeeds, but in others, it could have done better.

The romance track, which develops as a sequence of memories, catches you off guard and provides a number of genuine laughs.

 Ram and Janani first met as twelfth-grade students from different schools, and even though you've seen the scenario a dozen times in various movies, it still manages to be appealing, full of the spark of young love, the looks, touches, and yes, even kisses..

Things appear to be heading in the right direction, but not everything is as it seems.

It's been a fantastic ride thus far. The narrative proceeds at a breakneck speed; the characters engross you in their story, and you're immersed enough in their lives that you're eager to find out what happens next.

The second half of the film has its suspenseful moments and subtle plot twists, but there is a lot of melodrama and too many tears, which slows down the pace a little. Kola Bhaskar's sentimental whiplash could have benefited from some editing to bring additional depth to the proceedings.

Much has been said about the lead couple, but the chemistry between Dhanush and Shruti Haasan, especially in the first half, is what works best in the film. They put on a convincing performance as school students, and the relationship is charming, even if it does become a little syrupy at moments.

Shruthi's accent is still a little too western, considering she's portrayed as a Chennai native, but both actors have given respectable portrayals. Dhanush, in particular, comes out on top in the climax.

The little girl who portrays Shruthi's sister is adorable, and Rohini is mature and dignified, and she fits well in.

Sunder Ramu also performs admirably.

Velraj's cinematography is crisp and unobtrusive, allowing you to immerse yourself in the plot, while Anirudh's background score has a Braveheart feel to it. It's heartfelt enough, and the songs are enjoyable, but the background score might be a touch too loud at times. And, of course, the Kolaveri song raises the roof.

There are several scenes in 3 that defy logic, and sentiment reigns supreme, yet Aishwarya Dhanush has chosen to convey a romantic perspective that is fascinating in its novelty. The main characters also contribute. Aside from her tiny thriller twist, 3 is first and foremost a love story.