Aandavan Kattalai

Third directorial venture of writer & director Manikandan whose Kutrame Thandanai released just a few weeks back. Both his first two directorial ventures have been highly impressive and diverse commanding ticket purchase for this movie. Technically this film flows just seamlessly from start to end beginning with retro-styled title credits. This is the first film where Manikandan does not handle cinematography and that responsibility is taken over by Shanmugasundaram whose camera seems to just follow the protagonist zooming in and out of the various situations he gets himself in and is instrumental in creating the atmosphere and a sense of place effectively .

Editor Anucharan and Manikandan have a great understanding of each other's vision, narration and they make a solid cinematic collaboration which is very evident from the stage play like scenes of the movie unfolding neatly. The music of the film by K provides necessary impetus and shows that the music director understands the quirky screenplay and narration of the writer & director which is a rarity. The music of the film seems to have been inspired by Ilaiyaraaja and to an extent, Santhosh Narayanan and the background score in a particular sequence towards the end of the film is likely based on Rabbia E Tarantella composed by Ennio Morricone famously used by Quentin Tarantino in inglorious Bastards. Kudos to K for never overdoing the score in a distracting manner and managing to provide the necessary impact.

The casting of the movie is a major highlight and the person heading it should be applauded. This motion picture features several characters which are just bang on perfect for their respective roles. The performances led by Vijay Sethupathi who displays a deep understanding of the character and the narration is impressive. He shoulders various emotions and the amount of subtlety, restraint, and believability he brings to the protagonist is so heartening to see. Ritika Singh known for Irudhi Suttru makes her mark during the last act of the movie with an array of expressions. Yogi Babu's timing is just superb and he is really the star of the first half of the film. A big list of supporting actors essays their roles to perfection from Nasser, Singam Puli, David, Vinodhini and the character named Nesan.

The story by Anbu Chezhiyan and the screenplay by the trio of the director, editor and the story writer is the biggest strength of the movie. A subtle comedy-drama with serious undercurrents is not new to the visionary behind Kaaka Muttai. The detailing and the nuanced layers bristle with quirky dialogues touching on various themes from trying to make a living in an alien land and the spiraling nature of lies. The film also talks of touts, brokers who suck the blood of the ill-informed, divorce and lawyers and the mature handling of Srilankan Tamil angle deserves special accolades.

The nonpreachy approach and the deft handling of various themes are the high points of this screenplay. The absence of the love at first sight and head over heels romance is heartening to note. The detailing of the happenings of the family court and of a person who goes in search of a house on the low-income scale are noteworthy in this grounded and believable screenplay with interesting turns and situations. The comedy, performances, themes, dialogues, emotions have come together exceedingly well.

As such the pacing of the film is casual and justified but certain scenes could have been presented even more crisply which could have kept the audience more engrossed into the narrative and that is something that the director and editor could have worked on more. More justification and writing to the romance portions could have added more credence. The way the movie wraps up also lacks detailing and character motivations. These things could have elevated the movie even more.

This film establishes Manikandan strongly as one of the most versatile and exciting director's working in the industry. Without any of the masala cinema formulae, this subtle comedy-drama manages to entertain, engross and convey timely relevant messages effectively. Movies which doesn't insult the intelligence of the audience and writers who yearn to provide value for the ticket price should be encouraged and celebrated. Aandavan Kattali is Manikandan's hat trick triumph as a filmmaker.

Aandavan Kattalai (2016): Vijay Sethupathi ruled 2016 with 4 consecutive hits.Aandavan kattalai is a satirical drama film directed by Kaaki Muttai director Manikantan.This movie got highly positive reviews and even stars my favorite Debutante Ritika Singh (Irudhi Suttru fame).So I watched this movie with huge expectations.SO how is it?

Plot: Two friends Gandhi (Vijay Sethupathi) and Pandi (Yogi Babu), from Madurai dream to fly to London and make money, so that they can attain a financial status in the society. They come down to Chennai and with the help of a local travel agency, try to get their passports for a hefty fee. All documents are prepared with false information and the broker manages to get him a passport eventually. But Gandhi is denied a visa. He is too ashamed to go back to his village and decides to work in the city and try for a visa again. He starts working as an accountant for a drama crew headed by a kind-hearted gentleman (Nassar).He earns his trust and life begins to change. Incidentally, he also gets an opportunity to travel to London but false information in his passport now begins to haunt him. He has to find himself a wife named Karmegha Kuzhali(Ritika Singh)

Plus Points:

1)Performances: Vijay Sethupathi once again scored with his natural performance.He once again delivered a wonderful performance effortlessly slipping into this character that continually vacillates between good and bad. Ritika Singh is brilliant in her role.Whenever you get to see her in the frame,she performed on par with Sethupathi. Though she doesn't have much portions in the first half, she scores in the second half. We see a different Ritika here (not the Irudhi Suttru girl) and her cute expressions are sure to win the hearts of many youngsters.Yogi Babu, not only scores in humour but also in emotions.Nasser and Pooja Devariya fit in their roles perfectly.The guy who did Nesan is very good.

2)Screenplay and Direction: Manikantan deserves a lot of applause for making this brilliant movie with important social message.He conveyed a socially relevant message beautifully in a realistic manner.Screenplay never deviates from the plot and moves in fast pace.The director, without any lengthy sermons or excessive melodrama, gently suggests that one should go through the proper channels and follow rules, instead of encouraging bribes and shortcuts.

3)Music: Music by Kishore is very good and suits the movie with perfect placements.All the songs are montages and not choreographed.BGM is brilliant.

Minus Points:

None.

So,Aandavan Kattalai is a rare gem with brilliant performances and subtle message.Kudos to Manikantan,Vijay Sethupathi and Ritika Singh.

My rating 8/10

The movie was excellent. Vijay Sethupathi acted very well in the movie. Everyone acted very well in the movie. But the heroine's acting is not good in the movie. Yogi Babu comedy is very good in the movie. Songs and BGM were also good in the movie. The story was very good in the movie.

Fantastic.. kinda lovable movie.. acting by all actors is super..

It's one of the nearly perfect films. From the very beginning to the end. Slightly long and dragged but passable only for the screenplay, acting, and everything. A full time drama and comedy. Vijay Sethupathi is just great. Yogi Babu, Nassar, Hareesh Peradi also did well. Except Pooja Devariya, everyone did very well. Manikandan, the director, made Kuttrame Thandanai (2016) is one of my favorite films. He is very talented.

Pappu and his friend come to the city to make their dream done, going to London to upside down their bad luck in the village they come from. Leaving their family and the villagers in mislead. Their fortune turned down when Pappu can't make things done whereas his friend can. However, Pappu is not going back his village anymore and he must to get a chance again next time. Things getting worse when Pappu can't make his passport correction, in a dilemma either correct the passport or his entire life.

Recommended. A little bit long but the time is worth.