Captain Miller - Dhanush's one man show in action and emotions

The current generation's highest rated actor Dhanush and critically acclaimed director Arun Matheswaran have joined hands for the period action drama 'Captain Miller'.  Has this maverick combo fulfilled the sky high expectations remains to be seen.

The film opens in pre-Independence India with an old woman (Viji Chandrasekhar) telling her underprivileged fellow villagers that their deity will arise one day to deliver them from captivity.  The scene then cuts to a dacoit leader Kannaiyan (Elangovan) captured by the British who betrays 'Captain Miller' (Dhanush).  He then relates the story of how an ordinary villager Eesan became the dreaded 'Captain Miller'.   The story then unfolds about Miller's adventures as an army man, dacoit and later a freedom fighter.   The rest of the screenplay is about how he saves his villagers and helped them gain their respect as human beings.

'Captain Miller', is yet another gem in Dhanush's crown living up to his reputation of being the Nadippu Asuran.  Right from falling in love with a princess Velmathi (Priyanka Mohan) and losing her instantly to wearing the military uniform and reveling with pride the D has kept his fans spellbound throughout.  Not to mention the high octane action sequences choreographed by Dilip Subbarayan that bring out the best in the multiple National Award winner.  Kannada superstar Sivarajkumar as the people's champion Sengol wins hearts with his charismatic performance though his screen time is less. Sundeep Kishan appears as a Muslim soldier who has his own goosebump moment in the climax.  Priyanka Mohan has a meaty role as the privileged princess who turns against her own kin for the good of the people.  Elango Kumaravel, Vinoth Kishan, "Merku Thodarchi Malai" Antony, Jayaprakash and the rest of the cast have done their parts effectively.  

What works best in 'Captain Miller' is its core theme of how the people who built temples for their deities are denied entry to it, making it highly satisfying when they force their way in thanks to the hero.   This is an issue that is still under debate and the film takes the right moral stand about it.  A few dialogues (Arun Matheswaran and Madan Karki) hit the nail on the head like Dhanush pointing out that the so called lower castes will be slaves to the upper class even if independence is gained from the British.  The  reality of the British inhumanity during the "Quit India" movement massacre is captured authentically.   Dhanush's ever transforming character is a plus for the narration.

On the downside the lack of a powerful villain lets the screenplay down.  Since it's clear that Miller is going to win every battle the interest fizzes away after a point.   The action sequences go on and on and soon the line is blurred as to  who is on whose side and who is killing whom.

G.V. Prakash Kumar's songs blend into the narrative and his background score raises the energy level in the long drawn out repetitive sequences. Siddhartha Nuni's cinematography is a major plus recreating the period look with various color tones.  The rest of the technicalities such as the production design, editing and sound design are telling. Kudos to Sathyajyothi Films for pumping in the crores to help bring the authenticity to the film.   

Arun Matheswaran, has stayed loyal to his brand of violent imagery that unfolds in chapters. He has also rendered a few heroic moments for Dhanush like in his entry, interval block and the climax that hints at his commercial aesthetics.  While the story Arun set out to tell rings clear in the end he has also taxed the general audience with a barrage of mindless gun shooting that almost drowned it.

Verdict : Go for this well intentioned period actioner that Dhanush dominates from start to finish.