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| KADHALAGI
MOVIE REVIEW |
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| Review
by : Behindwoods review board |
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Starring:
Krishnakumar, Ajai, Roshan, Srishti, Amrita,
Nakshatra.
Direction:
K R Vishwa
Music:
A R Rehana
Production:
K Creations |
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How
often do we wish to see something that
is really and truly different from the
regular fare at the box office? Yes, almost
every other film that releases claims
to be different, at least in presentation
if not in content. And, on most occasions
we are left wondering how a movie is ‘different’,
as it claims to be. But, watch Kadhalagi
and you will be left with no such doubts
and questions because this is one film
that can proudly claim to be distinct
and different from all that we have seen
in Tamil cinema in the recallable past.
Before this starts sounding like the eulogy
to a masterpiece, please be informed that
Kadhalagi is not a masterpiece or anything
of that sort by a long stretch of imagination.
It is a brave attempt that comes as a
whiff of fresh air and holds one’s
attention unwaveringly. If that is good
enough for you, then this is one film
you ought to watch. Now, getting down
to an honest and objective analysis of
Kadhalagi.
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First, Kadhalagi is not a mushy and cozy love story
as the title suggests. In fact, love is just the backdrop
or the motive behind the main proceedings. It is not
easy to give hints about the plot without handing
out vital details. Therefore, the synopsis will be
of a very minimal nature – Kadhalagi is about
a young couple in love. The girl (Shrishti Thange)
is the sister of a highly influential man (Vijay Gopal)
who has very high political and business connections.
His only aim in life is to make his caste the most
dominant one in society and is willing to do the most
heinous acts of atrocity to make sure that no one
outside his caste lives a peaceful life. But, as destiny
would have it, his sister falls in love with a boy
(Krishnakumar) belonging to a caste that is detested
by him. Obviously, he is dead against this relationship.
The outline till now might look like the regular Kollywood
masala film where poor boy loves rich girl and family
opposes. The normal Kollywood route would consist
of three fights and a few songs before the couple
unites in the end. But, this is where Kadhalagi differs.
The couple realize that there is no way they are going
to live a happy life together because of her brother’s
high connections and more importantly his unmoving
heart which would never yield to any demand that would
dilute the honor of his caste. Therefore, the couple
along with a few of their friends, hatch a highly
risky, but ingenious plot to put her brother behind
bars and escape never to be seen again (leaving behind
evidence of the kind that would make him believe that
his sister never left).
That’s
as much as can be said about Kadhalagi without exposing
too much of the suspense. The plot hatched and its
execution are definitely very novel to Tamil cinema
and the director must be congratulated for holding
a few things very close to his chest right till the
end where he chooses to break them open. With only
two outcomes being possible, the audience is still
left unable to decide upon the right one until it
is revealed on screen. That is the high point of Kadhalagi
.
Having said that, Kadhalagi is not a perfectly scripted
and executed film. There are a few points in the film
that leave one disappointed. First, there are a couple
of loopholes in the script - a couple of key incidents
leading to the success of their plan do not appear
believable enough i.e., everything seems to fall in
place a little too easily for the audience to accept
it. For example, how can a doctor be fooled about
the death or otherwise of a body? There are also a
few sequences which could have been filmed in a more
convincing manner (like the one in the mortuary).
The director deserves applause for thinking along
different lines, coming up with a script that is almost
gripping throughout (barring the few points mentioned
above) and having the courage to remain faithful to
it without being swayed by commercial callings. Yes,
there are a few songs, of which a couple are good
(especially Roja Thottathil) and a little bit of dwelling
on the romance of the lead pair which could have been
cut down or even avoided (but that might be wishful
thinking). The film is already short (2hrs.15mins
app.) by general Kollywood standards and with the
above-mentioned trimming it could have been a full
thriller-suspense flick. Anyway, no comedy track and
item song itself are a big relief.
The script is the hero of Kadhalagi with no single
character being given extra emphasis, all being equal
contributors to the proceedings. The surprise factor
is Prakash Raj who appears in a role whose actual
identity and purpose remain in suspense right till
the end.
Overall, Kadhalagi is a film that is bound to impress
those who love to see different subjects. Some trimming,
more focus on the suspense element and some deft handling
of sequences would have greatly elevated this film
which is already a very good attempt. And, the makers
seemed to have faltered in selecting an appropriate
title for the movie; ‘Kadhalagi ’ hardly
indicates suspense and thrills, it suggests a feel
good love story, which we don’t think is the
best way to advertise this movie.
Verdict:
Genuinely different!
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| Tags
: Kadhalagi,
Krishnakumar,
A
R Rehana |
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