There’s Vijay, what else? - Kuruvi Hindu's Review

When a filmmaker gives a blockbuster that stands out for neat narration, thrilling action and admirable technique, he sets a benchmark that even he could find tough to match again.

Director Dharani did just that with Ghilli — which is still fresh in the viewer’s mind. When the same team returns after a hiatus, there’s bound to be comparison. Kuruvi (U/A) tries its best to fly high; only the effort isn’t enough because the eagle (Ghilli) had soared much higher. Of course, Dharani keeps up the momentum and things move fast until the midway point.

This Red Giant Movies’ production is one of a kind — a film with a storyline that doesn’t even feign an attempt to be logical! Without doubt, fans like fantasy, but even they expect some rationale in the plot. Probably, Dharani felt that the Vijay magic would override everything else.

Vetrivel (Vijay) is superhuman. He has his quota of fun, and adding to the levity is his friend (Vivek). Matters take a serious turn when he understands that his father and a lot of his workers are enslaved in a quarry in Cuddapah.

Vijay’s footwork in the dances is absolutely amazing! But, before flexing his muscles, he could have worked on his brawn. It would have made his stunts believable. For the first time, Trisha’s screen presence isn’t a sizzler.

By the way, your timing and modulation are getting too repetitive, Vivek.

You can’t but be awed by the lip sync that Ashish Vidyarthi manages in every film. At no point is it apparent that it’s another person speaking for him! And, the actor lends life to even the most clichéd of roles. Manivannan is in the bad men’s custody but keeps threatening them constantly. You wonder how he gets away with it! Anyway, Kuruvi doesn’t care much for reason, and this is just one example.

Another letdown is Vidyasagar’s music. But Kalyan, Shobi and Prem Rakshit (dance choreographers) score. A definite value-addition is Gopinath’s camera.

Director Hari’s assistant Shiva Shanmugham made a film (Thagappansami) with the same theme — bonded labour. Released in December 2006, it had fine performances from Prashanth and Pooja, and was poignant and sensitively treated. Sadly, it sank without a trace. Dharani has picked up a similar line and made a pot-boiler, but one that is wanting.

Kuruvi
Genre: Action
Director: Dharani
Cast: Vijay, Trisha, Suman
Storyline: When the son realises that his father and the workers in his firm have been carted away and forced into bonded labour, hell breaks loose.
Bottomline: There’s Vijay, but what else?

By: MALATHI RANGARAJAN