Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Mouli, Archana, Rajkumar, Sunil, Director Mahendran,
Bagavathi Perumal, Karunakaran, Gayathrie Shankar, Remya Nambeesan, Parvati Nair
Special Cameo: Director Bharathiraja, Producer K.E.Gnanavel Raja
Direction: Balaji Tharaneetharan
Production: Passion Studios, Trident Arts (Distribution)
Music: Govind Vasantha
Genre: Drama, Fantasy Comedy
Language: Tamil
Version: 2D
Runtime: 2 hrs 53 mins
Censor Certificate: U
Plot - 'Ayya' Aadhimoolam (Vijay Sethupathi) is a great stage artist. Parasuraman (Mouli) has been a great support for him. 'Ayya' Aadhimoolam worries about the low response for his stage dramas and also about his grandson's brain disease. During a stage drama itself, he passes away. But, Parasuraman believes that Ayya's soul still lives in the form of other's acting. How did that belief becomes true in reality and what happens next forms the crux of the story.
'Seethakaathi' is a fantasy drama, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan of 'Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom' fame. This film is said to be 25th film for Vijay Sethupathi.
Performance of the Star Cast - Vijay Sethupathi will be seen only for the first 40 minutes, which can be said as an extended cameo role only. But, his character 'Ayya' Aadhimoolam makes him to travel throughout the film. Vijay Sethupathi really deserves a great appreciation for accepting 'Seethakaathi' as his 25th film. His body language for that old-age getup is really superb. In the stage drama portions, he really lives as 'Ayya' in every frame, which is the strong reason behind the great impact of that character. Mouli plays a major supporting character in the film. As usual, he delivers his excellent performance. After a long time, Archana makes a comeback in Kollywood through this film. In the given space, she delivers her usual best. Rajkumar and Sunil has a great part in the humour portions. Their characters makes way for the humour to work well, with respect to the situation. Their performance looks really convincing. Director Mahendran and Bagavathi Perumal have a great role in the crucial portions of the film. They have delivered their best. Karunakaran, Gayathrie Shankar, Remya Nambeesan and Parvati Nair are just seen like cameo appearance in the film. All the other actors have given their good contribution towards the film.
Technical Works - T.K Saraskanth's cinematography is really excellent, which helps the audience to feel a lively experience in both the stage drama and other portions. R.Govindaraj's editing looks simple, still it's suits well with the mood of the film. Govind Vasantha's songs has been placed perfectly, with respect to the situation. 'Ayya' and 'Avan' songs are my favourites. His background score is the soul of the film. Through his score, he conveys the emotions strongly. Instead of dubbing, live-sound recording has been followed in this film.
Director's Involvement with the Script - Director Balaji Tharaneetharan joins hands with Vijay Sethupathi for the second time after 'NKPK'. Balaji Tharaneetharan deserves great appreciation for handling such a content, in a very convincing and respectful way. Once again, he comes up with a different presentation, which has been a great plus for this film. Ayya' character has been written in such a way, which will get strongly registered in the audience minds. Even after Vijay Sethupathi's disappearance, he makes that character to travel throughout the film. Through his character, he gives a reputation to every artist, who awaits public's appreciation. He also talks about their pain and devotion towards the art form, in a very convincing way. He adds fantasy and comedy elements, along with the strong emotions. It adds a great advantage to the film, in terms of entertainment value. His screenplay doesn't look artificial. Still, his execution will have different opinions among the audience.
Screenplay Execution - The screenplay pace is very slow, as every scene proceeds the situation in a step-by-step way. In the first half, the film begins in such a way, by showing the evolution of the stage dramas from the ancient days to present. In between, the stage drama portions will work only with few people. So, the screenplay takes time to create a strong interest among everyone. After Vijay Sethupathi's disappearance, the film gets treated with a small fantasy element. From there, the humour gets builds up strongly and it works well with /the situation. The interval block is not bad. In the second half, the screenplay completely maintains an engaging flow. The humour provides a good entertainment to the audience. Towards the climax, the screenplay moves in a very good manner. The entire climax portion looks simple, still it looks decent and convincing. A small message has also been conveyed.
Main Negatives of the Film - The biggest negative of the film is nothing but the lengthier duration. As every scene shows the entire proceeding for the lively treatment, the film becomes lengthy. Just because of the slow screenplay pace, patience is must among the audience. So, the stage drama portions need a great patience to feel the emotions behind it. This makes the audience to have different opinions, in those portions. Vijay Sethupathi's 40 min appearance may disappoint some of his die-hard fans.
Verdict
'Seethakaathi' is a very good fantasy-comedy drama, from Balaji Tharaneetharan. He takes time initially to engage the audience. After that, he entertains the audience with a good situational humour treatment. Vijay Sethupathi's dedication is really superb. The lengthier duration comes as the major negative of the film. Still, it's an honest attempt of tribute to every artist. So, the film deserves 'must watch once' category for Vijay Sethupathi's screen presence and also for the director's different presentation. Go and watch the film with low expectations.
Note - As the screenplay pace is very slow, patience is must for everyone to feel the strong emotions. Along with the patience, audience's mindset is also important. Because, the screenplay execution may create difference of opinions among the audience.
Cut Short Rating - 9/10
Comments
Post a Comment