Kaththi

My review: Kaththi

The hit combo of A.R.Murugadoss and Vijay is back with "Kaththi"after their blockbuster outing last time, "Thuppakki". It is a big task to reprise the success that they had couple of Diwalis back but the duo have just managed it, if not bettered it. On the surface what might look like just another commercial mass hero movie is indeed more than that. Movie takes a topical subject that is very relevant what with successive governments competing with each other in wooing the multinational corporation to their states by converting farm lands into special economic zones. The plight of agriculture and farmers have been relegated to back pages of the dailies and don't even feature in the prime time news anymore. In this background A.R.Murugadoss' attempt to bring these burning yet overlooked issues into the realms of mainstream commercial cinema is laudable. 

Movie begins dull, with uninspiring romantic portions and non-existent comical elements. But the heartening part is that Murugadoss does with all this commercial cinema routine in the first half and hour or so and shifts his focus diligently onto the subject in hand after which barring a few transgressions no looking back. The flashback portions are very well executed with some terrific acting from Vijay. The police station scene where he roars in agony advising the villagers to lot give away farming even if he dies is one sparkling example of the histrionic skills of the charismatic star. 

The action sequence involving the coins is yet another example of the directorial acumen of Murugadoss, like the encounter scene in "Thuppakki". Brilliantly executed by the team of director, action choreographer, cinematographer and actors, that. The press meet scene towards the climax is yet another well executed scene. The dialogues which are hard-hitting and razor sharp written by Murugadoss is elevated to a higher level by the power-packed performer in Vijay. In between these memorable scenes there are quiet a few lackadaisical sequences as well. But they get submerged beneath these terrific scenes which evoke overwhelmingly emotional response from the audience. 

Murugadoss has once again reaffirmed that he is one of the best commercial movie makers in the industry who always tries to touch upon socially relevant topics in his movies. Though his inability to weave good romantic portions in his movies barring "Gajini" is quiet stark, when it comes to the commercial masala elements he is second to no one. And he is a terrific dialogue writer too which he reinstates in "Kaththi". 

Vijay is in his elements in the role of Kathiresan, fun filled commercial hero who does all that is expected by his fans. But as Jeevanantham, he is a pleasant surprise. The underplayed emotions, brooding eyes, understated body language and dialogue delivery, he is a blast. Since "Kaththi" is a one-man show that focuses solely on Vijay, others have very little to do. Samantha is more like a set-property except in the song sequences. One wonder whether Neil Nitish Mukesh is needed for that role, any one could have done it. What made him sign for that role is a mystery. Satish has very few lines to mouth and none of them are funny. The support cast largely made of elderly actors acquaints themselves well.   

Anirudh's songs are already chart-toppers but their picturisation leaves a lot to be desired. "Selfie Pulla" in Vijay's voice is the pick but "Yaar petra magano" is astutely used by the director, stays in your mind for long. Anirudh's background score is a mixed bag. Some scenes are heart-thumping, especially when he has used variations of his theme music but at many others it is quiet bland. 

George C.Williams has done a terrific job as the movie's cinematographer. Each and every frame is crstal clear and reeks of high production values. The use of different tone in the flashback scenes which enhances the mostly red colored shirt worn by the protagonist in those scenes help in conveying the underlying communist strains of the subject. That it is just his second movie is an astounding feat.

On the whole, "Kaththi" may not be as focused or as incisive as the director's past masterclass "Ramana", but when you have a superstar with the kind of mass following that cut across class, age, region (and now even states), even this is just about enough to create wonders at box-office.

Bottomline: Mostly sharp with few blunt edges.

3.5/5