KAZHUGU MOVIE REVIEW

Tamizh cinema has grown in leaps and bounds technically but in story/script wise, it has achieved very good progress in dabbling with different genres and novel themes. In "Kazhugu", a similarly novel theme line has been chosen as the backdrop of the story. The movie revolves around the people who does the extremely challenging job of corpse retrievers in the Kodaikaanal hills. It shows a different side of world and people whom we are not accustomed or familiar with. In that sense, "Kazhugu" is intriguing to certain extent. Sathyasiva, a debutant has dared to come up with a script revolving dim characters and the trailers and teasers projected a thriller-kind of genre for this film.

Starting of with the protagonist Krishna. He has put in good effort to pull of the character of 'Sera' since it demands a good physical energy to portray such character but his emotions could have been much better. Especially in comedy portions where, good comedy timing is important. It's even more important to have one,when you have Karunaas and Thambi Ramaiah with you throughout the movie. Also he has to try to improve more on his voice modulation. With more experience, hope he can master the art of dubbing. Bindhu Madhavi, who did a small role in "Veppam" has done a small and sweet role in this movie. She has a good smile but then when it comes to acting, she has lots more to improve. She got her basic emotions right, but in some portions it could have been much better. Karunaas was good in his character role and it would be nice to see him more in such roles. His dubbing was very well done and the scenes done in the bar was a funny one! Thambi Ramaiah continues his good run in this movie too and he mixes serious and comedy into his role very well. His funny dialogue delivery adds more fun into his role, especially with the banter he shares with Karunaas. Jayaprakash has another grim role but his character was not very well utilized, considering the fact he plays the antagonist.

The movie has average technical works done. Pinida P.Shamdasani's costumes were limited but it does work for the movie since the movie demands such attires for the lead artistes. Remiyan has done a decent art work especially when it comes to the little houses, tea factory, interiors of Karunaas house and etc. Praveen K.L and Srikanth N.B does a neat job in this film as well, especially in the opening sequences besides the climax portions. T.Ramesh's stunt choreography was decent. The fight between the protagonist and the henchman, in the factory was well done. Satya.J's cinematography captures the edge of the high hills in Kodaikanal very well and the scenes done in the deep forest was beautifully shot. He maintained a grim and dark look throughout the film, thanks to the natural surrounding of Kodaikanal. Yuvan Shankar Raja's music was needed to make this film marketable and he did justice by delivering a hit song in "Aambalaikkum Pombalaikkum" ghana-song. The simple beats and quirky lyrics by Snehan makes the song a fun-filled one. It was neatly shot roadsides and the additional neat touch was delivered by dance choreographer Dinesh with his simple and enjoyable dance moves. Added to that Karunaas and Thambi Ramaiah did deliver their part into making the song a hit. The "Aathadi Manasudan" was done in montage sequences which had cute expressions from Bindhu Madhavi. "Paathagathi Kannupattu" is another montage song and it was wonderfully sung by Yuvan, which sounds like a soft lullaby. His background score was simple and adequate with the love bit music being the best score. 

Debutant Sathyasiva has come with a simple and straight-forward script but the story was not as gripping and thrilling as on expected. Especially in the second half, the movie didn't look like heading into anywhere and only late climax, we got to see some actions. He should have given more importance to the antagonist role done by Jayaprakash. What keeps us entertained though is the lovely banter shared by Karunaas and Thambi Ramaiah. The initial body-recovery scene, the wine bar sequence and the marriage sequences were done humorously. The dialogues by the director was differently and interestingly done. Especially regarding the corpses being retrieved, the spats between Karunaas and Thambi Ramaiah and also the love proposal methods by Thambi Ramaiah. The climax fight scenes were done in a violent way, and it could have been toned down a little.


"Kazhugu" offered a different and interesting backdrop for the audiences which can make them to sit up and take notice but in order to maintain the interest, the story should be gripping. The homework was very well done by the director, but the script work could have been much better to incorporate more suspense and thrills into the screenplay. Anyways, this movie is a welcomed effort and happy to see director Sathyasiva not succumbing to pressures of adding unnecessary commercial 'mass-masala' ingredients to pep up the script. "Kazhugu" is a decent time pass movie but could have been much better.


Ratings: 2.5/5 STARS

BY:TAMIL