Nedunchalai

My review: Nedunchalai

"Sillunu Oru Kadhal" director N.Krishna is back after a hiatus with his period flick "Nedunchalai". Movie starts of in an interesting premise of a highway with the story happening in the 1980's, and the lead actors being a highway robber and a petty dhaba owner. When you brace yourself for an exciting journey through this highway the journey itself gets tedious with its mundane happening and sluggish pace. As a result though you don't feel bored you don't feel satisfied either. 

Krishna has tried to explore new territories this time and one should appreciate for his understanding of the landscapes and lifestyles of people of the region bordering Kerala in the south of Tamil Nadu, that too of the mid-late 80's. He has woven the story that runs parallel with the various historical events of the time with references to those events along the narration. He gets it right with most of the things but looses it when it comes to weaving an interesting screenplay that keeps the viewers in its bounds. As a result end of the day one feels something is missing with this flick. 

Movie's slacken pace and non-riveting screenplay gets somewhat salvaged by wonderful performances from the cast. Aari as the protagonist "Tharpai" Murugan doesn't get much chance to showcase his histrionics abilities for most of his expressions gets drowned in the generous dose stubble on his face. But he makes up for it with his body language which he gets it right most of the time. Movie also marks the debut of one of the most promising newcomers in recent times Shivada Nair. She is terrific in her role as the dhaba owning independent girl Manga who falls in love with the ruffian protagonist after initial misgivings. 

Prashant Narayanan with his menacing eyes is good as the cantankerous Inspector Masanimuthu but he is strongly accented as far as his dialogue delivery is concerned. Salim Kumar, a leading character artist from the Malayalam cinema industry keeps the audience in splits in his comical avatar. 

"Injathe" is a terrific number from C.Sathya, the music director though none of the other songs pass muster. Rajavel has done a good job as the cinematographer of the movie. Movie looks rich and technically sound. 

On the whole, "Nedunchalai" is a case of wasted potential, what could have been an engrossing romantic-thriller ends up being yet another mundane rustic tale from the south.

Bottomline: Tedious journey.

2.5/5