A dashingly
handsome and talented Surya, a gorgeous-looking and phenomenal actor Sai
Pallavi, music miracle-churner Yuvan, a popular director well-known for
trend-setting films in the 2000s, Selvaraghavan- Together NGK should have magically
brought us on the NGK carpet to a world that we’ve never seen right? Wrong.
We get none of this. The plot has way less substance than an amateur drug smuggler, to be picturised as a 2.5hr lengthy film. What intended to be political thriller, has come out to be a major confusion on the label of the film-Should this be a power-packed Surya film or a Selvaraghavan film? Seems like the entire film rides on this confusion, making the pulse of the film to hit its bottom low several times. Simple linear flashbacks and unnecessary lengthy monologues aren’t what we expect from a Selvaraghavan film.
The simple introduction shows Surya in a mid-shot, ploughing the land. There is lightning and thunder. In a risky situation as such, when even Thor wouldn’t dare to directly look up at the sky, Surya does. He comes home, drenched. Lectures his mum and wife that he loves being an organic farmer. But that is the first and last time he claims he is one. There is not even one scene of what organic farming he does. I was just waiting for him till the end of the film, if he atleast shows an inch of soil/plant from his organic farming. But no. See, even in Singam series, we know that Durai Singam does work like travelling to Thootukudi to Madurai in 10 minutes in a plane. Whether it makes sense or not, is secondary. But we know the kind of work he does in Singam. However, here in NGK, other than just claiming he is into organic farming, we don’t get a glimpse of an important aspect of his life.
If Surya’s character has no depth, other characters have no arcs as well. Unconvincing, simplistic, unengaging screenplay. The transition between some of the scenes are so painful and unbearable to watch making the film’s tonal inconsistencies are jarring. Surya’s unintentional punchline is “Kathukuren Thalaivarey! Kathukuren.”
We get none of this. The plot has way less substance than an amateur drug smuggler, to be picturised as a 2.5hr lengthy film. What intended to be political thriller, has come out to be a major confusion on the label of the film-Should this be a power-packed Surya film or a Selvaraghavan film? Seems like the entire film rides on this confusion, making the pulse of the film to hit its bottom low several times. Simple linear flashbacks and unnecessary lengthy monologues aren’t what we expect from a Selvaraghavan film.
The simple introduction shows Surya in a mid-shot, ploughing the land. There is lightning and thunder. In a risky situation as such, when even Thor wouldn’t dare to directly look up at the sky, Surya does. He comes home, drenched. Lectures his mum and wife that he loves being an organic farmer. But that is the first and last time he claims he is one. There is not even one scene of what organic farming he does. I was just waiting for him till the end of the film, if he atleast shows an inch of soil/plant from his organic farming. But no. See, even in Singam series, we know that Durai Singam does work like travelling to Thootukudi to Madurai in 10 minutes in a plane. Whether it makes sense or not, is secondary. But we know the kind of work he does in Singam. However, here in NGK, other than just claiming he is into organic farming, we don’t get a glimpse of an important aspect of his life.
If Surya’s character has no depth, other characters have no arcs as well. Unconvincing, simplistic, unengaging screenplay. The transition between some of the scenes are so painful and unbearable to watch making the film’s tonal inconsistencies are jarring. Surya’s unintentional punchline is “Kathukuren Thalaivarey! Kathukuren.”
Many elements of
the film that don’t connect with movie-goers make it seem like Selvaraghavan is
also in the mode of “Kathukuren” Selva, hope this learning journey brings you
success in the next attempt. But this one, no selva no. We barely feel any of
our emotions invested anywhere in the film or for the characters.
Not denying that there are tiny sparks in the film- Surya gets into the political scene and learns that the councillor has power. I wish the story travels in that track of showing us the world of a ward councillor, an area not explored in Tamil cinema. There is a scene when Surya first meets Rakul Preet, who comes as a PRO for breaking or making political parties running this huge PR company. That whole equation between Surya and her could have been another amazingly refreshing track to know how things start trending on social media by these political PR organisations. Despite these small hopes in the film, every time we get to an interesting spark, it’s left unexplored. The interesting point in these situations flattens out quickly as the film lurches from one preposterous scene to another. We are simply asked to believe all the events in the film without any insights of how these characters overcome the obstacles.
I expect a lot
from Sai Pallavi’s character. For a good 45 minutes into the film, she barely
came in 2 scenes and spoke words that could barely fill the space in half a
tweet. Then came the unwatchable outburst and anger from the character after
knowing that her husband (Surya) has an affair. She goes into this
paithiyam-engulfed moment where she widens her eyes, questions Surya, yells and
overacts, over-reacts and over-responds. It is devastatingly disheartening to
see her in a plodding unbaked characterisation. This is artificiality to the
maximum. Artificiality and the paithiyamness seep into other characters now and
then. Remember that Parthiban in
Aayirathil Oruvan. Avaney thaan! On the other end of the spectrum is Rakul
Preet’s character who shows no emotions. This stern-face, expressionless woman.
I am done with
equating bold woman to expressionless facial reactions. Seriously, grow up
writers!
A beautiful melody “Anbae Peranbe” is placed at the wrong place. I mean for Surya and Rakul Preet who are having an affair, “Yedhuku Pondaati, yennai suthi vapaathi” is a more apt song.
A beautiful melody “Anbae Peranbe” is placed at the wrong place. I mean for Surya and Rakul Preet who are having an affair, “Yedhuku Pondaati, yennai suthi vapaathi” is a more apt song.
“Intha padam 5 varusham kalichu thaan
kondaaduvaanga.”
Ippo pudikira maathiri padam yedunga da dei!
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