Kazhuvethi Moorkkan - Sound political thriller that lacks novelty.

Popular actor Arulnithi Tamilarasu is most known for his work in modern thrillers and horror. With the release of his new film, "Kazhuvethi Moorkkan" directed by SY Gowthama Raj, he has finally returned to the rural genre. Dushara Vijayan, Santhosh Prathap, Saya Devi, Munishkanth, Sarathlokith Sava, Yaar Kannan, Rajasimman, and other actors appear in the rural drama, produced by Olympia Movies. Let's find out if the movie is a real deal.

Two close friends named Moorkkasamy (Arulnithi) and Boomi (Santhosh Pratap) are the focus of the narrative. Even though the former comes from a dominating caste and the latter from an oppressed caste, their friendship is strong transcending caste differences. While Moorkkan is just a hot-headed villager protective of his friend, Boomi is a reformer with lofty ideals and a social conscience. The two become victims of the conspiracy by caste-based politicians. One of the friends is accused of murdering the other. The important question in the remaining story is whether the survivor was able to discover the truth and obtain justice.

To start with, Kazhuvethi Moorkkan's strength is good casting. Arulnithi, Santhosh Pratap, Munishkanth and many other artists have showcased their expertise in terms of performance. The maker has portrayed the caste hierarchy with strong insights. The film's context and conflict were solid though it took so much time to unravel. The over-the-top buildups and romantic track with Dushara Vijayan had no value in the story.

We were presented with effective characters (Santhosh Prathap, Munishkanth & police officers) and dialogues throughout the entire movie. Kazhuvethi Moorkkan also takes a dig at the backward beliefs and boldly describes toxic practices. D Imman's songs and background score were impressive but felt overdone in a few places. The action choreography and editing worked here and there.

On the downside, the writing only worked in parts throughout the movie. The story and scenes felt too old school with a lot of fillers. It was predictable as the screenplay wasn't fresh either. While some supporting characters had a good impact, the protagonist character doesn't have a proper arc. It would have been uplifting if Moorkkan was shaped into a good leader. The female lead Dushara Vijayan was just eye candy.

Kazhuvethi Moorkkan has a potential plotline but was restricted as just another revenge thriller in the end. Despite the flaws, the film has many smart and memorable moments. The director had superbly staged many sequences from the pre-interval to the climax. The crew had executed a handful of thought-provoking frames through neat cinematography.

Verdict: Despite its limitations, this fair entertainer leaves an important message.