Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru (Tamil, 2016)

After a blistering start with SMS, Boss Engira Baskaran, and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, Rajesh stumbled with his next couple of films. While this film is not one that can stamped as Rajesh’s comeback there are some noticeable changes (there is very less stalking and drinking) to the way he has structured the story and sketched the characters. He does show his eye for humour like choosing ‘Kovai’ Sarala to read the statutory warnings at the beginning & interval!

Even after 4 films, G.V.Prakash still does not possess the screen presence to make the audience consider him seriously even for few seconds at a stretch. But like Enakku Innoru Per Irukku, he picks a script low on heroism and uses a sidekick like RJ balaji (who is magnificent in the space provided to him) to partner him throughout the film. He is good in the comic sequences but needs a makeover to get into serious roles. The fact that he also does not hesitate to call himself an amateur, even spelling it out clearly on screen through Balaji’s mouth, is admirable.

It is nice to see Prakashraj being used in a comic avatar for a change and he absolutely rocks the role delighting the audience throughout his screen time. Similarly Robo Shankar with his excellent mimicry skills and Singam Puli with his terrific dialogue modulation score on multiple occasions.

In spite of too much make-up, Anandhi is also quite good in the role of a spunky lady and not a meek one for a change. The talk show sequence is a riot where senior pros, MS Bhaskar (father of Anandhi), Urvasi (talk show host) show their immense class with Manobala, G.V.Prakash and RJ Balaji providing great support.

Almost all the songs do not work and seem an earsore, but the ‘locality boys’ song had the audience literally dancing to the tunes with snazzy camerawork and editing by Sakthi Saravanan and Vivek Harshan respectively.

The horror comedy sequence involving Rajendran & ‘Kovai’ Sarala is a huge speedbraker and a complete disaster. Wonder what prompted the team to step into that sequence. Perhaps it was just to make the count of 5 songs!

We all have enjoyed long dialogues done in a single take across the many years of Tamizh cinema. But such things need to be attempted only after an actor has attained a level of maturity and screen presence. It is extremely tough to digest G.V.Prakash trying it so early. Hope he avoids it for sometime at least.