FROM villainy and character roles, RK has finally got a script that makes him go through the entire gamut of heroic acts. He performs with ease in romance, comedy, dreamy songs and fights, with improved confidence, and sans much discomfort.
With a toned down physique, his performance too reveals marked improvement. Paired with him is Bhanu, cutting a more glamorous picture here than in her earlier films.
The plot revolves around the running feud between two elders of the village, Napoleon and Lal, and its repercussions on their dear ones. Caught in the crossfire is Napoleon’s younger sibling RK, as their rivals leave no stone unturned to torment and humiliate him, and his brother. The plot may not be entirely novel, its incidents we have seen before in other films previously. But it’s to the director’s credit that he has kept his narration fast paced and interesting.
The key strength undoubtedly is its comedy and the Vadivelu-factor.
The actor generates some genuine fun moments, with his amazing body language and well-workedout humour. With RK for company, it’s a laugh riot at times. Napoleon and Lal essay their roles without much fuss.
The film outstays its welcome at the point where Lal’s unsavoury past and scheming is exposed, and where the film should have logically ended. But it is stretched a tad from here to include the fight in the climax, which gives the hero a chance to reveal his prowess in fight sequences. Azhagar Malai may not be a great film, but it certainly is successful in what it sets out to do; provide entertainment of the unpretentious variety.