ETHARKKUM THUNINDHAVAN MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

Edharkkum Thunindhavan is written and directed by Pandiraj with Suriya, Priyanka Mohan and Vinay Rai playing the lead roles. Sathyaraj, Saranya Ponvannan, Soori, Ilavarasu, MS Bhaskar, Devadarshini, Pugazh, Ramar, Ciby, Saran, and Dhivya Duraisamy form an important part of the huge supporting cast. The movie has music scored by D. Imman, cinematography by R.Rathnavelu and editing by Ruben.

Edharkkum Thunindhavan follows Kannabiran, a socially responsible criminal lawyer, who comes across the deaths of young women deemed to have been killed by accidents and suicides. His intuition and investigation reveal that they had been ruthlessly murdered. Kannabiran finding who did it and why, and him bringing justice to the deaths of these women form the crux of the story.

As expected, Suriya has delivered a solid performance and most importantly anchored an important sensitive topic. Priyanka Mohan has done justice to her role with cute romance in the first half and a contrastingly different role in the second half. Sathyaraj and Saranya Ponvannan play the roles of highly liberal parents though unrealistic, they have done well. The humour within the family is expected to appeal well for women audiences.

The film has a long sequence in which Suriya is touted to kidnap Priyanka Mohan in an open, crowded celebration of a local festival. It is hyped with drastic measures being taken to stop Suriya from doing so, but he ends up bypassing it all with a simple solution, sparing us from the usual action and drama followed by an action interval block. The second half was expected to take off from here, but it took more time to get into the main conflict only close to the pre-climax, which made it less engaging.

When Adhini's (Priyanka Mohan) modesty is outraged, her husband Kannabiran (Suriya) comforts her and encourages her to face the consequences boldly. We have gotten used to seeing this kind of harassment to the supporting female roles but happening to the female lead itself here creates a greater impact. This is one of the few finer parts of the film that speaks clearly and loudly of the idea it is trying to deliver.

Special mentions to director Pandiraj and Suriya for having scenes based on Kavalan App, which is an important tool that can help women in danger. The screenplay is fast-paced and keeps the story constantly moving. The background score and the cinematography compliment this, and help compensate when the pace slows down.

The film talks about violence against women. Though the idea is well intended, at times it is too preachy and dramatic, and doesn't have the effect it ideally should have. To balance this sensitive subject, comedy has been used to carry the movie through large parts, but never really clicks despite having more comedians.

Overall Etharkkum Thunindhavan is an action thriller, themed on violence against women, catered to a family audience. Lower expectations will make the two and half hours fairly engaging.

ETHARKKUM THUNINDHAVAN VIDEO REVIEW