Thadaiyara Thaaka (Tamil)

Despite glitches, the film re-establishes Arun’s credentials as an actor with potential.
Thadaiyara Thaaka (Tamil)

'Thadaiyara Thaaka' (Tamil)

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Cast: Arun, Mamata Mohandas, Rakul, Vamsee

An ordinary man getting caught in an extraordinary circumstance forms the core of the plot. After his insightful take on urban professionals and relationships in 'Mundhinam Partheney', director Magizh Thirumeni ventures into the action arena. Playing the protagonist is Arun Vijay (this is his home production).

It’s a well crafted character for Arun, the actor doing full justice to it. His close-up shots are flattering, and the maturity with which he handles his role is impressive. Whether it’s the lighter scenes, the more intense ones, or the action sequences, the actor makes his strong screen presence felt. His Selva is self-made and confident, running a prosperous car rental agency. When the film opens Selva and Priya are in love and contemplating marriage. The way in which Selva puts forth his marriage proposal to Priya’s father, impresses the latter enough to give his consent.

Consummate actress she is, vivacious Mamta plays Priya, lending it the right nuances. The romantic moments Selva shares with Priya, and the botch up by Selva’s friends have some humorous moments. The lines sparkle, the actors who play the friends pitching in their bit.

The earlier part is breezy, engaging and racy. But in the second half the director seems to lose his grip. The screenplay turns unwieldy, convoluted and confusing, the narration is jerky and unevenly paced. The turn in the plot comes when Maha, a dreaded local thug, is battered to near death, and his brother Kumar (Vamsee) and a gang hunt for the culprit. It’s a logical flow of sequences, where Kumar after initially suspecting their rivals, zeroes in on Arun as the culprit. The supporting actors like Maha and Vamsee, and Arul Das as Maha’s right hand man Bhaskar, are key players in the scenario. The fights are power packed, Arun is a delight to watch. A weak link in the plot is the one of Maha’s mistress (Rakul). Suspense is generated early itself with everyone speculating about the mysterious woman Maha had hidden from the world, and his obsession of her.  This episode could have been crisper and integrated with the plot in a smoother way.

Despite glitches, what the film does is re-establish Arun’s credentials as a versatile actor who has the potential to make it to the top. Hopefully, reputed makers would now give him a second look.

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