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Saturday, April 20, 2024
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TAMIL AADUKALAM
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: *** 1/2
Dhanush and Vetrimaran, who hit the bull`s eye with
Polladhava, teamed up again for Aadukalam and have managed to
write another success story. With a very different backdrop from
Polladhavan, their new offering is sheer brilliance on celluloid.
Vetrimaran deserves kudos for the way he has packaged the film and made use of
Dhanush`s acting skills. The actor, who is improving with every film, has
delivered his career`s best performance.
The script narrates the tale of ordinary humans and their lives. The narrative
makes the audiences feel closer to the events and people. Human traits like
friendship, betrayal, jealousy and ego that wreaks havoc in our lives are shown
in a likeable manner.
Set in a Madurai suburb where rooster or cock fights is a major sport and
winning it is a prestige issue among those who breeds them. In the film,
Pettaikaran (Jayabalan) is considered as the best in the business and Karuppu
(Dhanush) is his pupil.
The naïve and innocent Karuppu falls head over heels in love with an
Anglo-Indian girl Irene (Taapasee).
Cop Retnasamy (Nareyn), a bitter enemy of Pettai, used to conduct and win
trophies in cock fighting almost every year. He decides to have one last cock
fight with Pettai`s team and win.
In the crucial fight, Retnasamy plays foul by using drug-induced roosters in the
first round and defeats Pettaikaran. Enter Karuppu with his rooster to save the
honour and prestige of his mentor.
Pettaikaran is unwilling to let Karuppu save his skin but the `underdog` emerges
victorious. Karuppu`s victory disturbs Pettai as his ego is wounded by the
incident. The fact Karuppu earn both popularity and money makes Pettaikaran
unhappy.
Karuppu is not aware what is going in his mentor`s mind. Pettaikaran is so
jealous of Karupppu that he starts scheming against karuppu. Things get worse
and lead to action packed emotional climax.
Give full marks to Dhanush for altering his body language, accent, costumes and
facing the camera without make-up look. Dhanush delivers a compelling
performance that is arresting and unbelievable. It won`t be an understatement to
say that Dhanush has literally lived up his role as Karuppu. Jayabalan is a
revelation as Pettaikaran.
Debutant heroine Taapsee, a Punjabi beauty, looks promising and steps into her
character with ease. Thanks to her stylish looks, she fits the role of an Anglo
Indian girl.
Dialogues are razor-sharp. Cinematography by Velraj is one of the film`s
hihglights. G.V. Prakash Kumar`s background score and Yathe Yathe...
song stays with the viewers. The rooster fight at interval point has been
amazingly shot.
The first half is pacy and entertaining, but second half drags after a point.
But the film touches both heart and mind. The credit goes entirely to Vetrimaran
whose research and hard work shows on screen.
Aadukalam is as an emotional drama set in a completely new backdrop
and shows a unique thing in the lives of Tamilian`s living in southern Tamil
Nadu. The characters` behaviour and conflict too reflect the nature of the cock
fights.
Actor-filmmaker Ameer has been brought in as the replacement for actor Vijay Sethupathi, who walked out of Dhanush's "Vada Chennai" following date issues.Read More
