Jigarthanda (2014)

Yesterday I went to Siddarth and Lakshmi Menon starring gangster Tamil movie Jigarthanda. This film has been released with heavy expectations of the director being Pizza (a film I haven’t seen yet) director Karthik Subbaraj.

The story is about a young short film-maker who gets an opportunity to make a big film due to circumstances. For that, he is commanded by his Producer to come up with a blood-dripping gangster story, the filmmaker wants to make a unique gangster movie and goes out in search. He finds a ruthless killer gang headed by Assault Sethu in Madurai, why Madurai I don’t understand, is it the gangster capital of Madurai or what?. The rest of the story is about the dangers encountered by the hero, a love sequence and finally how he comes triumphantly. Siddarth, after his fiasco (in my opinion) in “Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru“, has done an acceptable performance, I still find him to be wanting in his ability to be seen only as the character. Lakshmi Menon’s role as heroine is limited, but I found her to have delivered what was asked of her.

Highlights of the film undoubtedly are the songs, acting by Bobby Simha and Karunakaran.

Two songs “Kanamma Kanamma” and “Paandinaattu Kodi” have been hits for the last few weeks on all radio stations, so it was not surprising for the theatre to erupt with whistles and claps during the songs.

The film rests entirely on the shoulders of Bobby Simha, who has portrayed the character of Assault Sethu finely, effortlessly switching between ruthless killing and comedy scenes. His gibberish acting practice scene was awesome. After his fine performance in Neram as Moneylender வட்டி ராஜா, and Soodhu kavvum this film can be a feather in his cap. Similarly, Karunakaran of Soodhy Kavvum fame played the character of Oorani, a friend to the hero, nicely.

The character in the movie that should be mentioned was the charming “Red” Mercedes Benz car which had seen its glory days decades ago.

I liked the climax comedy twist in the film, the movie goes into high gear in the last few scenes. Overall an enjoyable film you must watch.