Thillalangadi movie review

Starring: Jayam Raja, Tamannah, Shaam,
Prabhu, Vadivelu.
Direction: M. Raja
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja, Thaman
Production: Jayam Company






Director Jayam Raja is back to doing what he is best at - remakes - and proves that he is after all a master in this craft. This time around, he has used the Telugu flick Kick to adapt to Tamil settings with plenty of spices to augment the original product. After an impressive performance in Peraanmai, Ravi is in his home turf under Raja’s baton. The brother duo combination along with Tamannah and an ensemble star cast has delivered a lengthy (solid three hours and ten minutes) entertainer.

Thillalangadi is about a young man Krishna (Ravi), who is restless and seeks something in life which he himself is not sure of. He gets kicks out of doing things extraordinary. He cannot stay in a job which fetches him a lakh of rupees for more than a month because it gives him the kicks to throw his job away. Normalcy is his pet peeve and he goes to any extent to just enjoy the ‘KICK’; in the process baffles and miffs people around him. His parents Prabhu and Suhasini understand him and leave him to his destiny knowing very well that Krishna will never go astray.

The film opens with a generous footage of Nisha (Tamannah) doing yoga in a sexy avatar in all possible angles in Malaysia. (A surprise for a Jayam Raja film!) Her parents bring forth an alliance for her and she is asked to meet a boy in a train. She agrees with much reluctance and meets the boy Krishna Kumar (Shaam). The story starts unfolding with Nisha narrating how she met Krishna (Ravi) and parted her ways with him.

Nisha’s first meeting with Krishna itself is an excited event wherein she tries to help her friend (MLA Nalini’s daughter) who wishes to elope with her driver Das (Sathyan). Krishna being a friend of Das appears to double time the couple in love only to get them married off. From then on, it is fiery encounters between the lead couple that oscillates between love and hate. When Nisha completes her story, it is Shaam’s turn and he divulges the real reason for his Malaysian visit. The rest of the film is about Nisha and Krishna’s love, misunderstanding and Shaam’s mission with some predictable and some unpredictable events.

Thillalangadi is almost scene by scene replica of the original Kick. Raja’s narration is interesting but is way too long. In fact, the second half is tediously lengthy to the point of exhaustion. The ‘family’ feel which is generally present in Raja’s films is missing in Thillalangadi. That apart, he has dealt with a subject that is a wee bit unusual in his own style. The film, in its first half is ridiculously silly and asinine in some parts but slowly warms up later.

Vadivelu plays a significant role to up the laughter quotient and he is aided by Santhanam, Mansoor Ali Khan, Radha Ravi, John Vijay and others in the rest of the film. Ravi looks dashing; dances well, fights energetically, emotes brilliantly but his voice is a major let down especially when he tries to mouth macho dialogues. Tamannah does what is expected of her. Looks like the lady has relaxed her rules about costumes and her glamorous avatar in the film is bound to be a hit with youngsters. Shaam looks stunning and delivers well too. It is a pity that this actor’s potential has not been completely utilized in Tamil films. The other cast members are adequate.

The locations are good and there is a ‘beauty’ feel to the entire film. Everybody is clothed in vibrant colors, courtesy Nalini Sriram. Her choice and color of costumes are trendy and noticeable. Major support to Thillalangadi comes from the music department where Yuvan Shankar Raja and Thaman come to the fore. All the songs are hummable and the much talked about ‘Sol Pechu Ketkaada Sundari’ is interesting with five Tamannahs and ten Rajas. However, in the second half, Pattu Pattu Pattampoochi (sung by Silambarasan) is a total misfit in terms of mood and is forced. The song follows a heavy mood from the lead pair but the dance sequences are chirpy. And when you thought the film is nearing completion, the Thothu Ponene number comes up reminding clearly of the Telugu connection.

There are many logical loopholes, which can be conveniently forgiven, as this film is not about any serious stuff. Thillalangadi has comedy, action, romance, glamour, sentiment and all the pertinent ingredients in perfect concoction and is a jolly good ride. It has something for everyone! 



Verdict – Enjoyable entertainer!