Cast: Siva Karthikeyan, Oviya, 

Director: Pandiraj

Ratings: 3/5

It is like a splash on Sands...

How often have you visited Marina? Even if you are not a Chennaiite, your trip to the beach should be at least once if you hail from Tamil Nadu. That's what the specialty of the place, which forms an integral part in the map of Chennai.

Well, while visiting Marina, have you ever wondered about the lives of people involved in so many small businesses on the sands. If not, it is time for you to watch Marina by Pandiraj, for the director takes us close to the people there, especially child labourers.

The filmmaker, who started his journey in the industry by exploring the world of children, in his debut directorial venture Pasanga (which won National Awards), has attempted to advocate for the cause of educating young ones in Marina, his maiden production venture.

Ambikapathy (Pakada Pandian) comes to Chennai from a rural land. He finds Marina beach as his home as he starts a livelihood by selling water packets on the shore. He soon befriends children of his age group, who are involved in small businesses on the sands.

The gang of children also gains the friendship of a senior citizen (Sundararajan) and a post man (Jithan Mohan). Also on the beach are a singer (Attakathi Aarumugam) and his daughter. While a young couple (Siva Karthikeyan and Oviya) are regular visitors to Marina. How all these characters join at one point is the rest of the story.

With the help of a strong cast (Pakada Pandian, Siva Karthikeyan, Oviya and others), cinematographer Vijay and music composer Ganesh, Pandirajan has succeeded in his mission to a fair extent, despite a docu-drama feel at some places.

While Pakada Pandian continues from where he left in Pasanga, Siva Karthikeyan makes us smile with his sharp performance. Oviya is beautiful and performs well too, though she has less number of scenes. Others in the cast, including a large number of children, Sundararajan, Jithan Mohan and Attakathi Aarumugam, are right pick for the roles.

Pandiraj has sandwiched an important message - need to educate children - in a package of comedy, romance and other entertaining elements. While there are shades of Slumdog Millionaire, Marina is a good start for Kollywood this February.