A new entry to Tamil Cinema. After all those mindless action mass masalas dished out in the recent past, debutant director Susindhran’s Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is refreshingly fresh and innovative.
The Tamil film has a tight script but does not break new ground, nor does it tell a dramatically different story. But what it does have is a very clean screenplay with all the typical elements of a good film of sports.
The Kabbadi coach played by Kishore, may be unconventional from what the tamil actor has played so far. But as an inspiring coach who can make a bunch of guys from a small town forget their differences and play as a team is a revelation. The first rule Mr. Coach teaches the boys is to fight against all odds, religion and rejects in life to triumph in the end.
In fact, Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu has traces of Director Shimit Amin’s Chak De India with Tamil nativity and a game that is hugely popular in rural Tamilnadu. There is a set-up, a build-up and truly stunning twist in the tamil cinema’s climax. The story is executed neatly with the right elements in place and hence the film goes perfectly.
In fact, the plot and the screenplay of Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is a no-brainer, it is designed to be a crowd-pleaser from the very word go – there’s the basic underdog story at the core, there is soft romance thrown in, pleasing and melodious songs and an excellent background score (debut V. Selvaganesh). On the downside the first half is a bit slow and predictable, the Thiruvizha scenes and the milieu, looks familiar and has traces of some recent Tamil Films.
How can you not root for an underdog team of simple, uneducated group of youngsters who are ridiculed by their respective families? Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is a compelling film to watch and much of its charm lies in the fresh lead pair, the bunch of simple villagers who are so lovable and endearing. The comedy track is part of the film and is thoroughly enjoyable like the newly married pencil thin guy who gorges Parottas by the dozens.
Kishore is the scene stealer and has done his job neat and very convincingly. New face Vishnu is promising as he gets his emotions correct. Saranya is cute and her expressive eyes says it all. All the new guys in the Kabbadi team are simply too good.
On the whole, this tamil film will surely keep you glued to your seat because the match scenes look real and edge of the seat. It is a sports film in the true spirit and if even if you are not a fan of Kabbadi game, it’s unlikely that the film will bore you because it is fast paced with a racy lead to an unexpected and stunning climax.
In short, go for it !!!
Tamil movie review 