Por Thozhil

Por Thozhil is about a newly recruited DSP trainee Prakash (Ashok Selvan) teaming up with seasoned officer SP Lokanathan (Sarath Kumar) over a serial killing case. Lokanathan is least interested in mentoring the rookie and the rookie decides to prove himself by helping Lokanathan solve the case. A series of murders happen with the perpetrator leaving no clue and randomly choosing the victims. How the duo find the real killer when they have literally no motive to work with forms the story.

Por Thozhil solely works for it's writing which gives no space to deviate from it's limited set of characters and their sub plots. Kudos to the director for keeping proceedings tense and especially the first half simply stands out with that terrific interval block. The subtle treatment does the trick and having seasoned actors like Sarath Babu and Sarath Kumar is a casting masterstroke. The second half though doesn't match the first half which had set the bar too high, it still delivers with the rightly placed twists despite choosing the predictable narrative.

With strong performances and a tight narrative, Por Thozhil is another worthy entry into the investigative thriller genre and is worth watching. Definitely recommended.

This film feels like one of the best crime novel-based films ever made.

The 2 protagonists based crime investigation drama in Tamil films is rarely made and the twists & turns in the film are so engaging with a back plot for every character and made in a not-so-boring way is really intriguing to watch.

The unfolding of every single scene from the start to the end of the film with a nicely designed characterisation makes this film a must-watch for all crime moviegoers.

After a long time, Sarath Kumar has done a role that showcases how good a senior actor he is.

Overall, this film is a bliss to watch, if you like watching crime investigation thrillers.

A rivetting journey of crime thriller that keeps u edge of seat untill the last act...with a brilliant story screenplay and fine performance from the cast the flick has garnered all-round accolades... Vignesh raja explores the realities of police job simultaneously livelihood of individuals at proper intervals where the characters are caught in a vortex of survival and desperate measures they take on and consequences sets the benchmark for Kollywood post "RATCHASAN"... While compelling narratives are supported by evocative camera work and bgm keeps u in a web of deceit and compliments the narration ... Overall a worthy theatrical movie that deserves a nationwide recognition...

Por Thozil A review by Rajesh Puvvada 11th June 2023

It's been while since I have watched a movie where every sentence spoken and every shot taken has complete relevance. The plot and presentation is so handsome that the looks of actors are of no purpose in this movie.

Crime and serial killing stories are not new, but how the movie is presented makes a whole difference. It's a typical story with a veteran and rookie gap in understanding is wide and the grumpy veteran has an edge backed by experience.

By far Sharath Kumar's most meaningful no nonsense performance. Ashok Selvan fits very well within the plot and delivers his part without blemish. I must say with his performance he has come of age in Tamil cinema. You get to see Sarath Babu for one last time in this movie. The quaint septuagenarian has delivered and that was noteworthy.

The movie spins around a few roads in Trichy. No long chases, unnecessary build ups, six pack glamour. There is so much realism in this movie, one will appreciate the colloquial flavour the movie keeps.

The movie leaves a message to all those parents who fail to offer a proper childhood to their children. So it's a must watch for all the parents. The mortuary scenes can be disturbing, hence I would recommend to leave the young children away from this movie.

I am going with a 8.8/10 for this one. Do watch it!! Some can wait for the OTT release, but you will miss the completeness a theatre would offer generously!!

I am planning to watch it again, to analyse the presentation style!!

All aspiring filmmakers should take some notes; crime novelists could take a couple of lessons as well; this is how tales of crime should be adapted into compelling screenplays, and this is how crime thrillers should be concocted.

What an immaculate work; albeit I was already aware of its encouraging reception, it still managed to leave a lingering impression.

One of the main reasons being its neat writing which wasted no time in trifling worries and refrained from indulging in unnecessary subplots; the script, from beginning to end, stayed very much to the point and seldom detracted from its intended course, which I admired.

Other than its writing mastery, the performances too had their significant contributions; both the leads did great in their respective positions, and they had to gel well together, and they did, which in return produced more anticipation for the viewers; it made things more memorable, I reckon.