Despite these little pools of teardrops, Bhaskar manages to keep his movie floating on a cloud of joy de vivre. The cousins have a rollicking time in Bangalore — often forgetting their other relationships. A few twists (predictable though) later, the ends are neatly tied up, though Kanan’s life appears a trifle stretched and hurried, much like in the case of Menon’s version.

Thoongaavanam is eminently watchable, even if that means keeping awake for a late night show.

Finally, if one were to see the film as a piece of fiction rather than a document of history, Grace of Monaco is a story well told, and engagingly so. It has breathtaking visuals and lovely people, and Dahan has an eye for detailing that makes his movie all the more arresting.