Soodhu Kavvum

Soodhu Kuvoom is a dark comedy built on themes of unemployment, kidnapping, blackmailing, police brutality, fake encounter and corruption but not even for a split second does it forget that it is first and foremost a dark comedy, and never it its manic energy lost or its comedy sacrificed while handling its heavyweight themes. The film never breaks its basic rules, and even when you feel at moments that it may go off-course, the story ingeniously swerves to its original course. Take for instance a scene from the movie when the four lead characters are arrested on charges of kidnapping and taken to court; that's when you go "Oh no, now they're going to spend the rest of the hour turning the film into a silly courtroom drama" but no, that's when Soodhu Kuvoom hilariously reminds us that it won't break its fundaments, and that is to be a rip-roaring dark comedy.

So, in a humorous twist, the 'victim' (who's actually the mastermind' who fakes his kidnapping, is actually kidnapped, connives with his kidnappers, then gives them a slip) denies that the four kidnapped him and the case is dismissed immediately. The tone of the film is both consistent and cautious, never forgetting how it should be presented yet driving its message home superbly. Bollywood films usually have a tendency to forget very easily the original tone of their projects – a film that's extremely funny till interval will abruptly turn into a cloying melodrama post-interval to cater to sentimental audiences, and sensible audiences are left thinking "Hey wait, wasn't I watching a comedy before I headed to the restroom during the intermission? Did the filmmakers flush it down the toilet to fart out a silly melodrama suddenly?". Maybe Bollywood could take a few lessons from Tamil films like Soodhu Kuvoom and get it's sh*t together.

It's safe to say that none of the men in Soodhu Kuvoom is a saint, and everybody explores shows their dark side and plays dirty to get their share of cake. But there's angst and a desperation which drives them to taking the shortcut to wealth and success. Our leading man Das, is an amateur kidnapper who's more afraid of offending his victim and the victim's relatives while demanding the ransom money. He assures the victim's relatives that they do not need to worry about the victim's well-being and the victim is safe and comfortable under his care. His ransom demands are petty and the funniest part is that he tips each victim from the ransom money after setting them free. These absurdities are nothing when we come to the part of Das' invisible friend Shalu, who's only visible to Das and is the accomplice to his crimes. The three other men, Kesavan, Sekhar and Paglavan are buddies who are unemployed, one being fired for defending himself against allegations of misbehaving with a female coworker, the other being jobless bum and the third driven away from hometown. Fate (a drunken brawl) brings these four men together and then their journey of kidnapping begins. This is shown in a flat-out hilarious sequence, where we see people of all ages and personalities being kidnapped and let go soon; there's one lady who shows no signs of panic and coolly continues chattering on her cell- phone even after being kidnapped.

In one of their crimes, the victim's parent, calls them and requests them to kidnap the son of Minister Gnanodhayam. The parent happens to be the brother of a contractor who was arrested under Gnanodhayam's orders on charges of bribery, and he wants to extract revenge upon the Minister. So, all he wants our four heroes to do is to kidnap Gnanodhayan's son, Arumai and ask for two crores as ransom. The heroes agree and pursue Arumai one day but are left baffled when another group of men kidnap him in front of their eyes before they can make their move. Later, dressed as policemen, they try to rescue-kidnap Arumai and realize on finding him that the guy had staged his own kidnapping. Later the five (six if the invisible girl's to be included) try to bilk Arumai's father and share the money amongst themselves. Their plan is successful until Arumai, the clever fox gives the others a slip and an unforgiving, rule-bending cop is deployed to root out the culprits. The thing that made me happiest while watching this film was that it brought me closer to my true roots, my South Indian blood. This is the first time I'm watching a Tamil film and I have lived nineteen whole years in India, and this film made me understand what a crowd-pleasing entertaining truly is. Mainstream Bollywood films are too obsessed with fair looks and toned bodies, so much that its six-pack or size-zero which decides who the biggest stars are. The actors in Soodhu Kuvoom would barely last in Bollywood because they neither have the looks nor the figure to make it in a mainstream Bollywood blockbuster, but the natural, earthy and indigenous charisma which these actors possess is something the Bollywood bandwagon (with exceptions, of course) can only dream of. No one here mugs for the camera, and we know these actors are acting to entertain their audience. Even the eye-candy Shalu, played by a gorgeous Sanchita Shetty, has a worthy role in the film, which is rare in Bollywood.

Everyone in this world has a dark side, says Soodhu Kavoom, and most are driven under desperation to play dirty, and in this bad bad world, dishonesty is the road to success. And what happens to rules? Well, weren't they always meant to be broken?

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Soodhu Kavvum stars Vijay Sethupathy and Sanchita Shetty, along with MS Bhasker, Ramesh, Simhaa, Ashok, Karunakaran, Yog Japee and Radha Ravi in significant roles.

Dass, a small-time smuggler, wants to graduate to the next level, kidnapping, which he believes is more exciting and lucrative.Pagalavan (Simhaa), Kesavan (Ashok) and Sekhar (Ramesh)are three desperate jobless friends

Dass convinces them that he has the perfected the art of kidnapping and asks them join him. Having no other alternative, they do.

Soon they become successful, and can pull off a series of kidnapping without any hitches.

there are no typical comic one-liners or forced comic situations With every film that he has acted in, Vijay Sethupathy has always managed to raise the bar to an entirely new level. As a Grey-haired, 40-year old with psychotic tendencies, speaking broken English, Vijay Sethupathy in Soodhu Kavvum is truly unbelievable.

There is some good all around performance, especially Simhaa and Ramesh, who manage to steal the show with their unpretentious and honest performance.

Full credit goes to the director, Nalan Kumarasamy, for transforming a simple plot into an extremely engaging film, with ingenious characters and entertaining situations.

Good cinematography, crisp editing and the refreshing non-conventional background score make this film even more distinctive. A must-watch.

Soodhu Kavvum, the best film I've seen so far in 2013. 1. The introduction and the film title display scene are wonderful. 2. Can't guess what's going to happen next and the editing was good. 3. The comedy was great great great, such a great relief from santhanism for a moment. 4. All the actors played their part very well. 5. All the songs are played well, mostly suited for the situation, and runs in background. 6. Loved the song, kaasu panam dutthu. 7. You'll forget most of the comedies, after watching the film, and wants to see the film again. 8. Extraordinary screenplay, dialogue delivery and acting. 9. Loved the action scene of that police. good editing there 10. For those who says "DVD vanthurum athula paathukkalaam", this is a film worth watching in theatres with families or friends or anyone. 11. Enjoy this film watching in theatre

Highly recommended.

Saw this movie today and I cannot remember when was the last time a movie made me laugh so much. The movie is a dark comedy with a brilliant script which meanders through the various realms of life that make of a typical Indian. The joblessness of youth, the dreams of a bright future, the authoritarian dad, the protective sentimental mom, the prodigal son, the loyal friends, the bullying rule-keepers, the ingenious cousins, the mythical sensual flame, fate's impeccable sense of humour, the Indian polity...it has all these stereotypes brilliantly inter-woven into a brilliant dark comedy. In many ways it reminds one of Guy Ritchie movies, and in many ways it reminds one of "Ek Chaalis ki last local" and again in many ways of "Jaane bhi do yaaron". In a way, this movie is an amalgamation of these and perhaps much more, but yet stays unerringly true to its own Chennaisque character. Very clever movie, and a salute to the director, scriptwriter and the actors (Vijay Sethupathy in particular) for pulling off a wonderful job and making a clever and entertaining movie. Keep 'em coming!

It has been directed by debutant Nalan Kumarasamy, one of the talents of Naalaiya Iyakkunar, a reality show for aspiring directors. Soodhu Kavvum stars Vijay Sethupathy and Sanchita Shetty, alongwith MS Bhasker, Ramesh, Simhaa, Ashok, Karunakaran, Yog Japee and Radha Ravi in significant roles. director, Nalan Kumarasamy, transforms the plot into an extremely engaging film, with hilarious characters and entertaining situations. Music: Santosh Narayanan Genre:black Comedy Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes Soodhu Kavvum is a different kind of film that has not been seen in Tamil cinema Nalan Kumarasamy is a daring director to make a black comedy at a time when Tamil cinema is being bombarded by slapstick comedies. The most solid of the new breed actors Vijay Sethupathy as the 40 plus anti-hero and all new actors in supporting cast are apt and they make the film crackle Vijay Sethupathy steals the show with his shaggy salt and pepper beard and a paunch. His body language and dialogue delivery makes the character come alive Sanchita Shetty as his girlfriend is smashing and delivers some one- liners with perfect lip sync. It is one of the best films to have emerged out of Kollywood in a long, long time ' Soodhu Kavvum' marks a hat-trick of successes for Vijay Sethupathy after the thriller 'Pizza' and the situational comedy 'Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom'. His knack of choosing good roles and working with new directors brimming with ideas will stand him in good stead, as also the work he puts in to portray each character. He put on weight and grew a beard to play Das, and the look fits him to a 'T'. His chemistry with Shalu (Sanchita Shetty), who has a terrific screen presence and does a neat job in her debut movie, is a treat to watch

Though the movie features only one full song 'Kaasu panam', the soundtrack has other gems like 'Mama douser' and 'Come na come' and a background score that will remain with you long after you exit the theatre. With a smile!!!