#CelluloidCritic

Critic 325 Director: Pa. Ranjith Written by: Pa. Ranjith Produced by: K.E. Gnanavel Raja Casts: Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Pasupathy, Hari Krishnan Anbudurai Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar Language: Tamil Genre: Historical Action Drama SYNOPSIS: Set in the pre-independence era, Thangalaan tells the story of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and the lives of the oppressed laborers who worked in the mines. The film explores the struggles and resistance of these workers against the British colonial rulers and local elites, led by the fierce and determined Thangalaan (played by Vikram), who rises to become their leader. REVIEW: Pa. Ranjith has come a long way from his debut film Attakathi (2012) , where he explored the coming-of-age narrative in North Madras, to creating socio-political star vehicles like Kabali (2016) and Kaala (2018) , and reaching his recent best with the exploration of deep-seated caste issues in sports in Sarpatta Parambarai (2021) . Thangalaan , Ran

Critic 324 Director: Dhanush Written by: Dhanush Produced by: Sun Pictures Casts: Dhanush, S.J. Suryah, Dushara Vijayan, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Music: A.R. Rahman Language: Tamil Genre: Action, Crime, Drama SYNOPSIS: "Raayan" follows Kathavarayan "Raayan," a man thrust into the criminal underworld of North Madras after his parents disappear, leaving him to care for his younger siblings. The film charts his journey of survival and vengeance as he navigates gang conflicts and personal betrayals to protect his family and achieve a peaceful life. REVIEW: With "Pa Paandi," Dhanush demonstrated his ability to direct films centered on relatable emotions and everyday characters. In "Raayan," he ambitiously expands his vision, creating a larger-than-life narrative while maintaining the emotional core that resonates with audiences. Although "Raayan" fits the mold of a masala

Critic 323 Director: S. Shankar Written by: S. Shankar, Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu Produced by: Lyca Productions Casts: Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, Vivek, Bobby Simha, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Nedumudi Venu, Delhi Ganesh Music: Anirudh Ravichander Language: Tamil Genre: Action, Thriller SYNOPSIS: "Indian 2" continues the journey of the vigilant Senapathy (Kamal Haasan), fighting against corruption, this time targeting the newer generations involved in higher echelons of power and digital crime. REVIEW: "Indian," released in 1996, was a cinematic sensation, effectively introducing the vigilante theme into Indian cinema—a genre that director S. Shankar has mastered over the years. After several setbacks including the pandemic, the tragic loss of crew members, and financial hurdles, Shankar and Kamal Haasan reunite to bring "Indian 2," marking a monumental effort spanning nearly 7 years. The film sets up a solid premise: Senapathy, agi