KAATHUVAAKULA RENDU KAADHAL (2022)

Critic No 279

Director: Vignesh Shivan

Written by: Vignesh Shivan

Produced by: Seven Screen Studios, Rowdy Pictures

Casts:  Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, Samantha

Music: Anirudh

Language: Tamil

Genre: Comedy, Romance

SYNOPSIS: 

After being labeled as a jinx since young, Ranjankudi Anbarasan Muruagesan Boopathy Oohondhiran aka Rambo starts to befriend Kanmani and Khatija. After the two ladies propose to him, Rambo feels the jinx in his life is broken and he gets all that he wanted in life in double portions. However, he needs to make a decision to live with one of them - Kanmani or Khatija?

REVIEW:

Love triangle is not an unexplored territory in Tamil cinema, and has been done with stars like Rajinikanth (Veera) and Mohan (Rettai Vaal Kuruvi). In Kaathuvaakkula Rendu Kaadhal (KRK), Vignesh Shivan deals with this tested subject in his own style, laced with humour and emotions. Vignesh Shivan is one director who loves to experiment, whether it works or not, he tries and that’s what matters. 

The film kicks off with a nicely shot emotional episode with a young boy, Ranjankudi Anbarasan Murugesan Boopathy Oohondhiran alias Rambo, leaving his sick mother believing that he has a jinx over his life and his very presence itself might cause her harm. After years, Rambo (Vijay Sethupathi) is shown as a carefree guy who lives a double life, as a cab driver in the morning and bouncer at night. In his two lives, he falls for Khatija (Samantha) and Kanmani (Nayanthara), two women with contrasting personalities. After the two women end up proposing to him, Rambo feels the jinx in his life is broken and he gets all that he wanted in life in double portions. Trouble begins when reality hits and he is forced to make a choice between his two lovers.

As typical as the film sounds, Vignesh Shivan keeps the story thin throughout. He doesn’t dwell too much on the emotions or the backstories of the characters and just focuses to design each scene with a fresh twist of comedy. There is a superb moment in KRK when Rambo gets to experience rain for the first time without being apologetic for who he is. The way Vignesh Shivan treats this moment, it is as if to suggest that Rambo is finally cleansed of his curse and kissed by the rain gods. This happens when the women of KRK propose to Rambo. However, this brilliance and poetic nature doesn’t flow throughout the film.

The main issue with the film is the lack of any central conflict or complications which test Rambo. Rambo's individual journeys with the both women is quite interesting but when the worlds collide, the film loses steam..Once the film enters the second half, we just see back to back scenes of the two girls fighting for Rambo and it doesn’t really get serious at any point of time. The comedy is not a laughathon but feels refreshing thanks to the witty dialogues and the earnest performances by the star cast. It leads to a wobbly climax to finish off again with a pun on the audience. So technically, besides just laughing at some jokes and admiring the songs, there are no high points in the film that brings us to the edge of our seats to feel the dilemma of Rambo. 

Vijay Sethupathi is magnetic as usual and only he could pull off this character with the audience still rooting for his ‘ambitious’ goal. He gives a deadlift to the film with his genuineness and after a while, we start to buy his reason for not choosing one girl. Samantha’s charismatic performance is another major reason for the film to stay afloat. Her flair of comedy is just terrific. Nayanthara is good at some scenes especially during the sequences where she recreates the ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’ moments. However, her stiff facial expressions still continue to bog her screen presence. 

Besides the lead trio, Redin Kingsley and Maaran do steal some limelight with their antics especially during the Bigil spoof scene. Cinematographers SR Kathir and Vijay Karthik Kannan ensure that each frame looks like an expensive, romantic painting. Anirudh’s combo with Vignesh sizzles as usual as all the songs elevate and gel the scenes well.

Though KRK is not as strong as Vignesh Shivan’s previous films, he definitely has given a product that might connect with the common audiences who might just treat this as an avenue to distress. So it won’t be a real surprise if the film turns out to be a blockbuster. That said, it’s really time for Vignesh to step up his game for his next venture with actor Ajith. 

VERDICT:

Though KRK staggers to find its narrative direction at most times, Vignesh Shivan whips up an unconventional, entertaining rom-com that is heavily lifted by the terrific lead trio.  

CELLULOID METER- 2.75/5: