To start off with, it’s yet another remake from the duo Raja-Ravi as their previous films of the same kind proved to be black horses at box office. Obviously, their previous films’ original versions were top-class entertainers while ‘Kick’ was just a passable show and doubtlessly its replication reproduces the same results.
Let’s not get along with comparisons and hitting straight onto the point of verdict, ‘Thillalangadi’ is an average entertainer that is 170mins of show time. However, the narrative aspects with enjoyable and gripping moments make it worth watching.
Jeyam Ravi’s experimental role in ‘Peranmai’ won him incredible laurels and this imitation job does land him on appreciative grounds. Raja’s ethical traits continue in this film as every shot goes the same way on narration and technical aspects.
The film opens in Malaysia with Nisha (Thamannah) unwillingly accepts to meet Krishna Kumar (Shaam), whom their parents want to them married. What starts as a conversation turns into unexpected twist as they share a commonality with the same person. Uh! The story shifts to flashback as Nisha shares about acerbate past life with her ex-boyfriend Krishna (Ravi). His very nature of being rigidly unique of wanting ‘Kick’ and ‘Risk’ in very acts makes her annoyed. Krishna’s attribute of hop-skipping jobs very often splits them up. When it’s his turn to uncover about a person, who has been making him restless, Krishna Kumar reveals that his mission is about hunting down a vicious thief in Chennai, who has flown down to Malaysia now. For a greater surprise, the smartest thief is none other than the same Krishna.
Guess what’s gonna happen next? The second half is all about the hide-and-seek games laced with humor, romance and unconditional sentiments with reasons behind Krishna’s new avatar.
Ravi as a cool chap-later- a challenging man attempts to score bigger over screen space. Of course, at few parts, he entertains the audiences with his funny liners and mannerisms. But he has to change his dancing style. Thamannah looks cherubic at places, but her overactive mannerisms make it quite odder. The prototyped costumes turn comical after certain extent. Vadivelu with his comedy oriented parts keeps the first half going with right momentum while Santhanam has been wasted. Prabhu’s performance is at his best while Suhasini doesn’t appear for more than 3 scenes. She has to choose some good roles as she deserves yet more challenging roles. Mansoor Ali Khan as a risible cop often troubled by Vadivelu tickles funny bones. Shaam need special mention for his astounding performance and it’s really appreciable if he chooses for certain roles to get himself over the top.
The songs aren’t really convincing as Yuvan Shankar Raja loses his best standards. Even the background score doesn’t enhances the visual quality and raciness in screenplay. Thanks to Thaman’s original background score as it has been reestablished finely over here. Cinematography is average and so is editing.
If there could be few reasons to mention about Raja – it is his casting of actors and dialogues. Of course, the basic plot, screenplay has its credits for Surendar Reddy. If Raja had trimmed the duration in second half, the film would have been yet more entertaining.
What works: Shaam, last 30mins and climax, Vadivelu
What doesn’t work: Longer duration, Music, Camera, performances…
Verdict: Passable show
Banner: Sun Pictures, Jeyam Company
Production: Editor Mohan, Kalanidhi Maaran
Direction: Jeyam Raja
Star-casts: Jeyam Ravi, Thamannah, Shyam, Vadivelu, Santhanam, Mansoor Ali Khan, Prabhu, Livingstone, Thyagu, Sathyan, Mayilsamy, Deepu, Suhasini, Nalini, Lakshmi, Latha Rao, Chandra Lakshman, John Vijay, Balaji, Jayaprakash and Raja
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Lyrics: Vaali, Na.Muthukumar, Vivega
Cinematography: Rajashekar
Art: Milan
Action: Rocky Rajesh
