Every citizen in India fantasizes about teaching the erring politicians a lesson by outwitting them and ‘Thunai Mudhalvar’written by K. Bhagyaraj is one such fantasy. If by any chance you recently went to a cinema and didn’t mind watching a mere police constable working independently to nab a big human organ stealing gang then you surely will not mind a fifth standard educated middle aged man becoming the deputy chief minister on an independent ticket.
The Story:
Manchamaakanpatti as the name suggests, is an illiterate village which is cut off from civilization due to a flowing river and over the years the political parties have turned a deaf ear to the pleas to build a bridge across the river. Periyapandi (Bhagyaraj) and Chinna Pandi (Jayaram) are cousins who are also bosom pals who stick to each other. Periyapandi has a malayali wife Thangam (Shwetha Menon) while Ruku (Sandhya) chases Chinna Pandi pestering him to marry her. During the ongoing elections the villagers decide to field Periyapandi as the M.L.A candidate because he is the most educated man in the village by finishing the fifth standard and also has a helping tendency. The rest of the story is full of implausible events that take Periyapandi to the post of the deputy chief minister with the power to dominate both the ruling and opposition parties and finally making a classic nineties sacrifice that gets the bridge, a school and a hospital built for the village.
What works:
‘Thunai Mudhalvar’ is a return to form of actor Bhagyaraj, who is in full flow with his trademark dialogue delivery and his adult humor that though borders on sleaze is quite enjoyable. Jayaram is the perfect foil for Bhagyaraj and others like Shwetha Menon and Sandhya provide the glamour quotient. Special mention is due to the boy who plays the five year old son of Bhagyaraj who is a natural. All the other cast members are apt. The movie starts slowly but becomes interesting and a good tempo is kept for most parts with both decent and adult humor (it’s a Bhagyaraj movie right?) strewn all over. There are also sentimental scenes which are effective. The director Vivekanandan has done a fair job in handling two aged Heroes and still make it work.
What Doesn't:
While the actor Bhagyaraj gets full marks the acclaimed screenwriter Bhagyaraj has gone missing as there are logical loopholes galore in ‘Thunai Mudhalvar’. The climax of a Bhagyaraj movie will linger long in your minds, but here it is amateurish to say the least. The television serial like presentation becomes noticeable in the boring scenes which are many in the second half.
Verdict:
If you are a Tamil movie lover above forty like this reviewer, rush to the nearest theatre before the biggies arrive , for there is vintage Bhagyaraj on show and some nineties pleasures. If you are younger, come on you’ve seen more than a few high budget fiascos haven’t you?. This one wont hurt you that much.
Rating : 2.25/5
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