PURAMPOKKU ENGIRA PODHUVUDAMAI MOVIE REVIEW

SP Jhananathan’s films have its own unique traits. The director makes it a point to showcase a socially driven film in a semi-engaging milieu.

 

Not one of those typical run of the mill kind of socio-commercial entertainer, in Purampokku, the director honestly attempts to disseminate some revolutionary thoughts, mostly on the communistic backdrop.  

 

V. Selvakumar and his art direction team deserve a special mention since 80% of the film takes place in jail; the set looks so authoritative. There have been galore of films taken in a prison, but this film stands out for its precision to make a prison look like a real one.

 

The director has made sure that all three heroes get equal weightage in terms of performance and screen time.

 

Arya is the go to man for multi-starrers and he is one of the very few artists who doesn’t care about his on screen image even after being around for a long period. He should be credited for constantly encouraging multi-starrer films. As a revolutionary fighter, he has underplayed his role and has served just what is required for it. The man looks convincing as a leader. 

 

Vijay Sethupathi is a powerhouse of talent, he has proved it earlier and he has shown it again through Purampokku. There is much variety in his facial expressions and the stress that he exhibits of a hangman is exemplary. 

 

Shaam makes a profound comeback with Purampokku. He plays a tough, honest cop; a very interesting character who doesn’t go by the book always but wants justice to prevail and stands by the quote ‘law is above all’. He is a surprise powerhouse. Karthika is apt as the strong revolutionary. 

 

The songs are one of the major let downs, which stop the free flow of the film’s proceeding. They just don’t glue well with the film while the background score lacks the experience that such a strong script warrants. 

 

We do have a lot of films talking about prison, prisoners, death sentence, jailers, but not many film stresses upon a hangman and his life. Purampokku is one of the very first movies to showcase that.

 

The film does have its fair share of commercial elements, though some of them look like a forced intervention like a dance sequence in between a high profile mission.

 

Director’s intent to make a revolutionary fictional story filled with interesting subplots is praiseworthy. He also showcases the impact of electronic and medical waste dump. The writing, content and the intentions are strong but the execution of the overall product could have been better. Climax is the highlight.