A key differentiator for this, in spite of its inherent weaknesses, is the 'A' it gets for effort throughout, in all of its departments - direction, screenplay, score, acting, editing, production design etc.
However, it is cliché-ridden throughout, and has chock full of stereotypical characters that populate it, and here's where the makers and the actors elevate the material in spite of said characterization.
It is sappy, it is sentimental, and hits all the notes intended to work you up emotionally, tugging fiercely at your heart-strings (like, for instance, 'Sadma'/'Moondrompirai' or 'Ek duje ke liye'), and in this day and age, that should simply not work. So, its a huge credit to Rajumurugan and his crew that they made this one appeal to all classes of audiences, and I'm lucky to have caught this one at one of the best screens in the country.
As I mentioned earlier, the score is special, as is the set design and cinematography, and we're right with the protagonists throughout their journey. The 2 hours 43 minutes swept past like a breeze, and I, for one, wished that I had spent more time with these characters.
Don't be ashamed to choke back a tear/two, and ensure you don't miss this one on the big screen. Its quite an experience.
And yes, I'm in love with Sudhandhirakodi as well.