Film: Patra
Director: Jayantan
Cast: Mithun Dev, Vaidehi, Sam Paul, Aadesh, Renigunta Ganesh
A youngster caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs and trying to extricate himself from it, has been tackled in films earlier. But debutant director Jayantan has made an effort to give a slightly different take to it.
The plot includes a local politician, his two warring protégés Dhana and Karikalan, and Kannan a college student. Kannan has a brush with the law, when he is suspected of assaulting the son of local politician Karikalan (Puli Pandi), and hauled to the police station. Dhana (debutant Sam Paul) not the one to let go a chance to be one up on his rival bails out Kannan. But when the rivals make a deal, it doesn’t augur well for the youngster. The director has tried to infuse a realistic feel.
The narration has a smooth flow sans any unwarranted over-the-top action scenes, or comedy track. The stunt-fight sequences have been ably choreographed. Like the scene of the ambush of Karikalan by Dhana’s men. The unfortunate fate of the minions when their bosses turn from rivals to partners-in-crime is well brought out. So, also is the cop-politician-rowdy nexus and the games politicians play for survival. Aadesh as the corrupt cop gets a meaty role and makes the most of it.
The silent communication between Kannan and his sister when a messy issue related to her is got over, are fine moments. The scenes leading to the climax are well planned, and thrilling is Kannan’s final face off with his tormentor. Debutant Mithun plays his part competently supported by a talented cast of character actors. Focused for the most part, the director seems to get distracted towards the latter part. Where he decides to revive the romantic angle which was only touched on earlier. And where an unwarranted kuthu group song is forced in. But despite the glitches, the film, a crisp 109 minutes, is a far better product than what one would have expected from a debutant maker and his team of freshers.