'Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal' (Tamil)
Director: Elred Kumar
Cast: Atharva, Amala, Aunupama, Santhanam, Jayaprakash
A complex storyline, made worse by a convoluted screenplay and confused handling, makes MUK a test of endurance. Atharvaa in his debut film had revealed immense potential. But here as Ram undergoing mental trauma, he looks dazed and bewildered most of the time. The actor is not to be blamed. The bizarre etching of his character is sure to send even the best of actors into a tizzy and puzzlement, on how to interpret the role and lend conviction to it.
The film, the debut directorial venture of Elred Kumar, opens with a murder in Bangalore where a hooded Ram vents his murderous rage on someone. The plot shuttles between Bangalore, Chennai and the US.
Loopholes and logistical gaps abound in the script. In the initial stage one is led to think that the director would get his act together soon. But as the narration progresses confusion only becomes worse confounded. Ram’s working in a software firm in Bangalore, his sharing an apartment with colleague Charu (Amala), and his one sided love for her make up the earlier part. The story picks up momentum with Charu’s kidnapping, the appearance of Latha a look alike as his Chennai office boss, and Ram’s strange behaviour. There is a long dragging flashback to his disturbed childhood. Words like motivational delusion and rarest of rare case are thrown in by a doctor who cuts a sorry figure.
Though her role too suffers from poor etching, Amala is eye candy, looking great in some western outfits. The closing fight scene has Latha’s US fianc Vicky’s two male friends suddenly kidnapping and making a murderous assault on her for taking their friend away from them. Was it a gay angle or over-possessive friends, is not clear. It’s an extravagant fare with foreign locations and expensively picturised songs. But its all wasted when not backed by a solid script. There is a lot of style and gloss, but the film falls short on content. MUK is a psychological thriller gone awry.