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Thursday, March 27, 2025
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TAMIL DESINGU RAJA
EDITOR'S PICK
`Desingu
Raja`: stale wine in new bottle
Rating: 1.5
Rural potboilers in Tamil cinema are usually about a love story or rivalry
between two villages. Not surprisingly, "Desingu Raja" merges both the
common themes into a story, which partially entertains, but otherwise is a
wasted effort. Despite its flawed screenplay and a plot that barely evokes
interest, it's the sporadic laughs that hold audiences through the film.
This is the love story of Idhayakani (Vimal) and Thamarai (Bindu), who belong to
different families which share a warring rivalry for generations. Will love
between the young couple triumph over familial hatred? This forms the rest of
the story.
Since time immemorial, we have had films with a similar storyline. I wonder what
makes "Desingu Raja" any different from any of these films that have
come over the years, except for the cast and some earnest comedy.
It's an unambitious film on a mission to entertain its viewers with full-length
comedy. Honestly, it doesn't succeed in its mission because the forced humour
works for a few minutes, but after a while it really tests your patience.
Vimal and Bindu scored a hit earlier this year with a film called "Kedi
Billa Killadi Ranga", and the makers of "Desingu Raja" were under
the impression that the pair will elevate the film with their presence and help
it succeed. But, the truth is that the last time that this couple appeared on
screen, their presence was complemented by a decent storyline, which is
completely missing in the case of this film.
While a crop of new filmmakers are trying to tread never-explored territories of
filmmaking with films such as "Neram" and "Pizza", films
such as the one in discussion and several more have been heavily relying on
comedy. I agree the success rate of comedy films is high vis-a-vis other genre
films, but eventually the fate of a film depends on its story.
Director Ezhil, who's been in the industry for over a decade, barely displays a
streak of brilliance. In fact, the film raises questions such as - "Has
Ezhil lost his directorial spark?", as one walks home after watching film.
He has undoubtedly made a couple of good rural entertainers over the years, but
he seriously needs to move on and try different films.
Vimal too has been typecast for village-based roles. Even though he has played
them to perfection, it is getting extremely boring to see him in similar roles.
He should look at doing different films outside of comedy genres and gauge the
reception of his fans. I'm positive that people will welcome him with open
hearts.
Bindu Madhavi is trading her pretty looks for portraying similar roles. She is
more comfortable wearing a half-sari and playing a village belle than trying
something unconventional.
It's perfectly alright to skip "Desingu Raja" if you still haven't
watched it. For those who have already watched it, I feel sorry for you, truly.
Desingu Raja Movie Press Show Stills 