SAGUNI FILM REVIEW

Saguni (2012)

Director: Shankar Dayal

Casts: Karthi, Pranitha, Santhanam, Prakash Raj

Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar

Language: Tamil

Genre: Action - Comedy

Introduction

‘Saguni’ had been announced just after the release of the blockbuster ‘Siruthai’ and have been in the making ever since then. After many delays due to the change of antagonist and the reshoots, Saguni have finally have been released with a tremendous opening mainly due to the return of the rocking combo, Santhanam-Karthi. With heavy promotions and generous release of teasers, have Saguni kept up to the hype which it has spanned around it?

Quick Synopsis:  The film is about Kamalakannan a.k.a Kamal’s (Karthi) who travels to Chennai in an attempt to stop the demolishing of his house at his hometown which is believed to be a prestigious property of the ancestors. In the mission, he meets Appadurai a.k.a Rajini (Santhanam) and travels with him around the mission in his auto after confessing his flashback. However, hell breaks loose when true colours of the Chief Minister (Prakash Raj) is exposed. How Kamal destroys his empire and safe his ancestral property with mind games forms the crux of the story.

Story-Screenplay

Debutant Shankar Dayal’s decision to take a political premise and establish the vital role of a kingmaker in Indian politics is a bold one. The premise itself has created much hype. The film starts off with a childish but an innovative opening of Karthi and travels in the same jolly mood throughout the first half. The entry of 

Santhanam is a scream and the decision to name them ‘Kamal-Rajini’ weaved with interesting subtexts are engaging. However, the main let down is that the first half has only this ingredients and the film does not move an inch. Introduction of the heroine looks forced and her presence does not add any value to the story. 

Unfortunately, the film starts to pick the momentum at a scene before the interval.

In the second half, things look to spice up with Karthi vowing to destroy the empire of the CM using four people he incidentally meets. Yet again, it falls flat as the mind games which are hyped to be the USP of the film is very predictable and lacks logic. All four characters are not strong enough and go missing as the film progresses. By the time the film hits the stake of the second half, it becomes a tiring watch with a very slow pacing.

Moreover, the climax serves as the weakest link as the half distinctive set ups fail to pay off.

Saguni had all the commercial elements but struggles with a messy screenplay and half etched characters. Honestly, without the saving grace of Santhanam-Karthi combo, Saguni might find it hard to float.

Casting & Performance 

Even though Karthi have started his journey here as a performer, he have come a long way and have proved to be a full-fledged commercial actor with his subsequent movies. Having the second most opening prints after Endhiran is a big stage for a 6 film old actor. He has given whatever the script demands him for (excellent dance and comic timing) but sadly the character is not very well etched out. The inconsistency of his character design is the main reason why Saguni have handed up one notch below of what it has promised. 

Santhanam have become a cracker nowadays and with Karthi’s combo, he have not disappointed. One might even yearn the film to be a story which just focuses on the combo. Pranitha have nothing much to do but excels in what was intended for. Prakash Raj ease pass his role while, Radika, Naasar and Kota Srinivasa Rao are good in their limited role.  Unfortunately, Andrea and Anushka’s special appearance looks redundant and have missed the effect completely.

In overall the casting of Saguni have been well collaborated however the character designs somewhat gets lost along the way.

Technicality

Mutiah’s cinematography gives a suitable colour to this commercial flick while G.V Prakash’s music is apt for the film’s tone with ‘Potathu Patala’ and ‘Vellai Pamabaram’ lingers through our ears even after the film ends. However the BGM seems to be very repetitive. Editor Sreekar Prasad’s cuts are draggy and surprisingly abrupt at times affecting the flow and the concentration of the audiences.

Conclusion

Saguni flexes hard with good performances and thought provoking dialogues but falls flat with an unfocused screenplay. In overall Saguni might find takers who might just go for the rocking combo of Karthi and Santhanam. However others might get disappointed provided the hype and the promises which it made. On a positive note, audiences who go with zero expectations might like this political comedy.

Verdict: Saguni, not as intelligent as expected but with a brilliant show by Karthi-Santhanam combo

Rating: 2/5