RAJINI MURUGAN (2016)

RAJINI MURUGAN (2016)

Director: Ponram

Casts: Sivakarthigeyan, Keerthy Suresh, Rajkiran, Soori, Samuthirakani
Music: D.Imman
Language: Tamil
Genre: Comedy

After the stupendous hit of the carefree, “Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam”, the same team churned out another comedy ‘Rajini Murugan’ but unfortunately got delayed for quite sometime that seriously tested the film’s potential to become a hit. The main question is whether they will be able to repeat the success and fulfil the immense expectations. Will the delay play a spoilport to the film? Or will ‘Rajini Murugan’ break all barriers to clinch victory?

Synopsis

Ayyankalai (Rajkiran), the village head, lives a lonely life in the village as all his children as settled in London. With only his eldest son family living in the village, Ayyankalai shares a close bond with his grandson, Rajini Murugan (Sivakarthigeyan). Meanwhile, it’s love at first sight for Rajini Murugan when he Karthika Devi (Keerthy Suresh) and sets up a tea stall with Thotatree (Soori) in front of her house. As the first half meanders through the romantic track, the film takes a shift when ‘Ezharai’ Mookan (Samuthirakani) claims that he is also a grandson of Ayyankalai (Rajkiran) through the mistress and wants a share of the wealth. How Rajni Murugan clears the name of his grandfather forms the crux of the story.

Story – Screenplay

The film has a very thin plot similar to Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam. The same village style comedy, carefree romance and the comedy villainy as the central conflict of the film. Despite the heavy resemblance of their previous outing, the film is thoroughly engaging. The screenplay meanders a little but never does it lag. Soori-Sivakarthigyan’s combination is the livewire of the film and it banks heavily on the bits of realistic comical situations they face in life.

However, due to the predictability, by the time it hits the interval, we can somehow guess the story but just waiting for it to be presented with heavy dose of comedy. Despite the wafer thing story, the film is a tailor-made entertainer that races its way through all the weakness. Even though the ‘surprise’ at the climax looks forced, it will definitely be a screamer for most the audiences!

Casting & Performance

Sivakarthigeyan continues from where left at ‘Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam’ and played with his strength intelligently to walk away with claps at the end of the film. However, the fast rising actor has to show some versatility to sustain in the competitive industry.

Keerthy Suresh is cute, expressive and shows great maturity in acting. Her Tamil diction and screen presence is one of the highlights in the film. With tremendous confidence, Keerthy Suresh might just emerge as one of the best finds of 2016.

Soori is at his usual best and delivers another career changing performance. He shares a great rapport with Siva and his wisecracks are placed timely.

Rajkiran is not in his usual shoes of serious grandfather but a comedic one that will leave you in splits. We would really love to see more of him in the screen. Samuthirakani as the ‘terrific’ villain stamps his excellent versatility in this film. He is not the usual villain you will see in films but a one which will you adore and laugh at constantly.

With great casting ensemble, director Ponram’s work in the film is half done!

Technicality

Cinematographer Balasubramanium as usual captures the colours of the village with great conviction. National Award winning, editor Vivek Harshan’s fast cuts keep the film crisp and engaging. He gives this masala film the required energy through his cuts.

D.Imman’s music has been a definite chartbuster and they are shot even more passionately and beautifully.

Bottomline

Despite the average, template story, 'Rajini Murugan' is a clean, fun film that entertains thoroughly from start to end.

Verdict:

Rating :  3.5/5