Osthi Review

Doing a remake is never an easy task. But if done with utmost local flavour, hardly it will fail to enthuse audiences. Director Dharani has proved in the past that he can deliver good remakes to the preferences of the local audience.

He is at it again with 'Osthi', a remake of Hindi hit 'Dabangg'. Like its original, 'Osthi' is a mass masala venture seemingly inspired by cop stories that were dished out in Kollywood in early 1980s.

STR after films like 'Vinnaithandi Varuvaya' and 'Vaanam' that had different storylines has opted to go the mass way this time. He plays a stylish cop with a mission in 'Osthi'. A collage of many a film of the past, 'Osthi' oozes with pace and energy all through.

Not the kind of movie for those who prefer logic. If you want to have sheer fun and entertainment for a couple of hours, 'Osthi' is the preferred destination. At times, it goes serious, many times sounds a spoof. On the whole a spicy masala dished out to satisfy the appetite of the front-benchers.

STR is no honest, upright and a serious cop here. The grammar for hero seems to be changing in Tamil cinema. He is brainy and brawny but lives life according to his whims and fancies. He romances, fights and utters punch lines. He comes out of any tough situation in life. The events that occur in course of his life make an interesting watch, though we have a feeling of having seen them before many times.

As the film starts, Simbu settles down in few minutes as Osthi Velan, a stylish cop, and his travel begins.  He is a police inspector in Kattukuppam in Thirunelveli district. With his subordinates (Santhanam, Thambi Ramiah, Mayilsamy and Vaiyapuri), he has a gala time in town.

Then comes Boxer Daniel (Sonu Sood), a corrupt man with a sole motive to win the bi-election. He uses his power and influence and goes hammer and tongs to win the polls. Osthi Velan becomes his nemesis. He plays spoilsport on all the plans of Daniel.

Meanwhile, Osthi Velan has a half brother Balan (Jithan Ramesh) and there is love and hate relationship between them. His mother (Revathy) tries to ensure that both meet eye-to-eye while father (Nasser) takes the side of Balan.

Velan comes across Neduvali (Richa Gangopadhyay), daughter of a drunkard (VTV Ganesh) in the village and it's romance straightaway. As it happens, Velan's mother dies with a promise from him that he would take care of his brother.

Meanwhile, Boxer Daniel decides to take on Velan. A series of conspiracies are hatched by him in the form of Balan. Eventually it ends with a one-to-one brawl in the climax where Velan and Boxer Daniel rip off their shirts, flaunt their six-pack abs and fight.

STR leaves his mark all through. His diction of Thirunelveli dialect of Tamil adds credibility to the role. He is bubbly and energetic in stunts and dance sequences. Richa is impressive and emotes well. But she has very little to speak.

Ramesh gets a role of his life time and does justice to it. Santhanam's one-liners are as rib-tickling but at many places it's loaded with double-meaning, not a welcome change. Nasser and Revathy have been under-utilized.

Bharathan's dialogues deserve a special mention. The punch lines are catchy especially when Velan punches his enemies in air and spells 'Nan Kannadai Mathiri.....' Thaman's music is pacy complimenting the theme and screenplay.

'Kalasala...' and 'Neduvali...' songs deserve special mention. Gopinath, Dharani's trusted lieutenant, handles the camera and captures the movie in fresh colours.  Since actions plays a prominent part of this cop story, three stunt choreographers Kanal Kannan, Ram-Lakshman and Siva have contributed their might.

Dharani has made it a commercial fare. The filmmaker has stuck to the original without changing the content much. With STR's strong presence and Dharani lacing it up with masala elements in the right mix, 'Osthi' ends up as an entertainer, though cliched at many places.