After producing two Tamil films and directing a couple of Telugu films, Kumar directs and produces his first Tamil film. Debuting as the hero is his son Sujiv. The plot of Virattu is set in Thailand and centres on a heist during a train journey. It has a knot with the potential to turn into a racy thriller, if only the screenplay was more coherent and exciting.
It opens on a promising note, where con couple Sujiv and Shree (Sujiv, Erica) set their eyes on a lecherous and wealthy old man. Fed up of living life in the fast lane, Shree tries to persuade Sujiv to leave Thailand. It is on the train that the rest of the characters, colourful and quirky, converge.
Amu, a simpleton who is in the train with his bag of hard-earned savings; Kalki, a conman with his two goons and his moll Dolly; an artiste, who sketches human faces and a bumbling detective with his glamorous assistant. With all eyes on Amu’s cash bag, the happenings that follow make the rest of the movie. But with the screenplay dull and unexciting, the characters remain just cardboard figures. There are a couple of twists that hardly work. The better part of the film is the ably choreographed fight and stunt scenes. Though slickly shot, it could have done with a stronger content. A mild entertainer, the screenplay lacks the punch and fritz to engage the audience.
Film: Virattu (Tamil)
Director: Kumar T
Cast: Sujiv, Erica Fernandes, Manobala.