Thangalaan is Tamil cinema’s biggie in recent times and has been in the news for the longest time. Directed by Pa Ranjith, the film has Vikram and Malavika Mohanan in lead roles. Thangalaan is a period drama and has also been dubbed in Telugu. It has been released alongside Double Ismart and Mr. Bachchan, the two Telugu biggies from Tollywood. Read our review here.
Story
The film is a period drama set in 850 CE in the Veppur village of North Arcot. Vikram plays Thangalaan, the head of a tribal group employed by the British to scout for gold in his region, which is now the famous Kolar Gold Mines. But Thangalaan faces opposition from yet another clan headed by Malavika Mohanan. The rest of the story is about how these two clans take on each other and, in turn, face the British as well.
What about on-screen performances?
Vikram is a national-award-winning actor and once again proves that he is the legend of an actor. The way he carries the film on his shoulders is the best part of the film. Vikram’s look and body language are to die for in the film. If not for him, Thangalaan would have been quite boring.
Malavika Mohanan plays the female lead, and she is a revelation in the film. She brings a lot of depth to the proceedings and delivers a surprising act. The way she takes on Vikram is also the best part of the film. The rest of the cast is mostly Tamil actors, and they have been cast quite well in their respective roles.
What about off-screen talents?
GV Prakash composed the music, and his songs are adequate and not worth mentioning here. But the basic asset of the film is his BGM, which elevates the emotions superbly.
In VFX, some where things look fake, as even the small animals are not showcased properly. It would be better to taken proper care by Makers in VFX.
The story of the film is quite good and Pa Ranjith is known to showcase his story in the best way possible. His stories have oppression and showcase the domination of the upper caste to the lower. This aspect is showcased in the film in the best way.
Pa Ranjith directs the film decently, but to get to the point, he deals with many subplots that take a lot of time to establish for the audience, which reduces the film’s impact.
The film has a dull feeling, and art cinema has a kind of vibe, so not many will have an enjoyable impact while watching the film. The second half is dull, and most of the action happens in the last half an hour.
What’s Good ?
- Story and backdrop
- Writing
- Performances
What’s Not ?
- Slow pace
- Predictable storyline
- Too many preachy scenes
Verdict
Overall, Thangalaan is a social drama set in the bygone era. The performances are great, and the narrative is unique. This film is not for all, and only those can give the film a shot who love art cinema and performance-based films.
Telugubulletin.com Rating 2.75/5