'Khaidi', starring Karthi in the lead, hit the screens this Friday.  It locks horns with Vijay's 'Whistle'.  Here we present its review.

Story:

Dili (Karthi) is just out of jail after serving a 10-year term.  His help is sought by a police officer named Bejoy (Narain) out to save a team of cops who have been poisoned by a gang of drug-peddlers.  

Dili's only aim is to meet his little daughter, who has been brought up at an orphanage in his absence.  He strikes a deal with Bejoy.  

The rest of the film is about how Dili and the cop (Dheena), along with a lorry driver, face enormous amount of hardships in the course of a night before they can prevent the villains from laying their hands on a large consignment of cocaine.  

Analysis:

A long-separated father, who yearns to see his daughter after 10 years.  This is an exciting premise in itself.  The desperation and sentiment during the action sequences that this premise offers, is touching. The kid has her own sleepless nights to find out who will be knocking the door early the next day. Without taking too much time with backstories, director Lokesh Kanagaraj relies on verbal or non-verbal cues.  

Karthi and Narain try to reach a hospital to save the police officers. Of course, after a point, it becomes rather repetitive.  But the film somehow manages to hold interest. Karthi thrashes everyone around and then they head off. Yet another bunch of rowdies tries to attack, and the cycle goes on.  In a sense, the film is more about action blocks than anything else.

The narration alternates between the track involving Karthi and Narain, and that involving the Commissioner's building where a bunch of students and a lone constable are keeping the prime accused of this drug-dealing mafia captive.

You have to give it to the director for the intelligent use of a simple situation to weave a complex narration (the film is inspired by a news report, by the way).  A longing father who wants to meet his daughter, but his heart is with the fighting policeman who struggles to save the entire unit.

Karthi slips into the role with ease.  The 'Khakee' and 'Chinababu' actor is back to his 'Paruthiveeran' (debut movie) avatar.  Irreverent, unapologetic, ruthless, lungi clad, and tinged with a pinch of sentiment. No heroines, no long flashbacks or backstories.  Dheena is a relief in this movie, he gives that necessary comical speed breaker that the film so badly needed.  Narain could have been utilized more, but as a fighting police officer, he is alright.

The director relies to a great extent on CS Sam’s BGM and Sathyan’s lens. Both absolutely do a killing of it, extra marks to Sathyan for taking the night experience to a different level.

The film does have its flaws, it is lengthy (at 146 minutes) and repetitive action blocks do cause some damage.  However, the director makes it up with some smart moves to keep the proceedings largely engaging.

Verdict:

'Khaidi' is an intense tale that doesn't deviate from the main story.  Humour is there but it is situational and understated.  This one entertains even without a song.  Inspired in parts by Kamal Haasan's 'Virumaandi' and 'Die Hard', the film is definitely for those who enjoy violence as much as tender human emotions.