Imaikkaa Nodigal

I have an expectation about this movie while i am reading a review about this movie. Unfortunately its end with below my expectation. A good theme how they ruined with over dramatic over built up. Still they didn't learn how to make Mystery / thriller / Drama. They can remove over love combinations and songs. I know there is people who loves this kind of over dramatic movies. can't give this movie above 5 in 10.

Mismatching costumes for CBI officer Heroin, with high heal fancy foot wear no way.....

but we can't expect who is Rudra... that is a wonderful try, hats off.

Let me make it simple for the readers

The overall theme of the movie was above average but the way it was presented on the screen was over dramatic. The Cast was good, but no one was too good in the movie due to lack of strength in the script and the dialogue it delivered. Nayantara's selection of movie was bold. Too much cliche in the movie which makes it too obvious. Songs were completely unnecessary. Overall you can just watch it one time and then forget about it.

The second consecutive movie this year with Nayanthara in the lead. She's good in selection of movie. This one is no exception. This could have been even better to be called as a gripping thriller.

Acting: All the lead characters had acted well. But the acting of Anurag Kashyap is exceptional. Vijay Sethupathi's Cameo is short and sweet and he's good as always. Atharva acted better in this one.

Positive points:

1. As I mentioned earlier, acting part was completely good.

2. This film is technically sound one.

3. Anurag Kashyap completely ruled the film by his exceptional acting.

4. Direction was good as it tried to make audience emotional.

5. Though the movie has a running time of 2 hrs and 50 mins, we never feel bored except for love portions.

Negative points: 1. Songs are unnecessary at the moments, eventhough songs are good.

2. Running time is 2 hrs and 50 mins. It could've been handled better by removing unnecessary scenes.

3. Some scenes are easily predictable. It could've been handled in a better way.

4. It lacks some logic. I don't want to put spoilers and spoil the experience of readers.

Considering all the negative points, this movie is surely a great treat for those who love thrillers.

My rating:6/10 and additional 1 for Anurag Kashyap. Hence 7/10

The plot was well constructed and executed. The cast enassemble was near perfect. There were times when the story felt unnecessarily dragged. But overall, the movie will take you through an exciting journey.

Here's a gist of what works and what doesn't in R Ajay Gnanamuthu's second directorial outing:

What Works:

1. The casting choices - The three lead characters that appear on the film's poster are ideal choices. While Atharvaa mostly works from his comfort zone, Nayantara has done a remarkable job. In fact, hats off to her script choices of late. She is indeed the LADY SUPERSTAR (in an industry dominated by men) of our times for good reason. Anurag Kashyap pulls off his serial killer role with consummate ease, hamming it up only when needed. Vijay Sethupathi is wonderful in his little cameo role!

2. The cat-and-mouse narrative - Where the film scores the most is in its crafting of the lion-hyena theory that Kashyap's character mentions. There are a few edge-of-the-seat moments embedded in this thriller.

3. Technical crew - Some smart cinematography skills exhibited by RD Rajasekhar and efficient re-recording work from Hip Hop Thamizha. Some scenes would have benefited from a less noisy background score though. Songs are passable!

What Doesn't:

1. The run-time - 170 minutes for a thriller is ideal only if it has racy scenes and plenty of nail-biter moments. Unfortunately, there are commercial compromises made in the form of a bar song, a tepid romance (featuring Atharvaa and Rashi Khanna), and lengthy flashbacks. While the flashbacks atleast contribute to character development, the other two are pointless and makes the writing look a little lazy.

2. Turning your brain off - It doesn't help when there are moments/scenes that have been forcefully inserted to add to the emotional side of certain characters. Also, 'motive revelation' is a dampener. Logic, during a few instances, does take a backseat.

3. The ideas needed better execution - The film does put forward a couple of interesting hypotheses but these work better on paper than on screen. The transition from paper to screen isn't as smooth as one would expect!