Aandavan Kattalai (2016): Vijay Sethupathi ruled 2016 with 4 consecutive hits.Aandavan kattalai is a satirical drama film directed by Kaaki Muttai director Manikantan.This movie got highly positive reviews and even stars my favorite Debutante Ritika Singh (Irudhi Suttru fame).So I watched this movie with huge expectations.SO how is it?
Plot: Two friends Gandhi (Vijay Sethupathi) and Pandi (Yogi Babu), from Madurai dream to fly to London and make money, so that they can attain a financial status in the society. They come down to Chennai and with the help of a local travel agency, try to get their passports for a hefty fee. All documents are prepared with false information and the broker manages to get him a passport eventually. But Gandhi is denied a visa. He is too ashamed to go back to his village and decides to work in the city and try for a visa again. He starts working as an accountant for a drama crew headed by a kind-hearted gentleman (Nassar).He earns his trust and life begins to change. Incidentally, he also gets an opportunity to travel to London but false information in his passport now begins to haunt him. He has to find himself a wife named Karmegha Kuzhali(Ritika Singh)
Plus Points:
1)Performances: Vijay Sethupathi once again scored with his natural performance.He once again delivered a wonderful performance effortlessly slipping into this character that continually vacillates between good and bad. Ritika Singh is brilliant in her role.Whenever you get to see her in the frame,she performed on par with Sethupathi. Though she doesn't have much portions in the first half, she scores in the second half. We see a different Ritika here (not the Irudhi Suttru girl) and her cute expressions are sure to win the hearts of many youngsters.Yogi Babu, not only scores in humour but also in emotions.Nasser and Pooja Devariya fit in their roles perfectly.The guy who did Nesan is very good.
2)Screenplay and Direction: Manikantan deserves a lot of applause for making this brilliant movie with important social message.He conveyed a socially relevant message beautifully in a realistic manner.Screenplay never deviates from the plot and moves in fast pace.The director, without any lengthy sermons or excessive melodrama, gently suggests that one should go through the proper channels and follow rules, instead of encouraging bribes and shortcuts.
3)Music: Music by Kishore is very good and suits the movie with perfect placements.All the songs are montages and not choreographed.BGM is brilliant.
Minus Points:
None.
So,Aandavan Kattalai is a rare gem with brilliant performances and subtle message.Kudos to Manikantan,Vijay Sethupathi and Ritika Singh.
My rating 8/10
