Kaatru Veliydiai Movie Review

Cast: Karthi, Aditi Rao Hydari, RJ Balaji, Rukmani, Shraddha Srinath, Delhi Ganesh & others

Music: AR Rahman

Cinematography: Ravi Varman

Editing: Sreekar Prasad

Art Direction: Amaran

Production Designer: Sharmishta Roy

Makeup Artist: Serina Tixeira

Stunts: Sham Kaushal

Written & Directed by: Maniratnam

Produced by: Madras Talkies

Distribution: Sri Thenandal Films

Release Date: 07-04-2017

Run Time: 02:27:00

Well in advance, Kaatru Veliyidai claimed itself to be a gently paced romance film, and to be frank, it’s not the first time over the years that a director like Mani Ratnam is doing this, being a specialist in romantic flicks. He has the uniqueness despite the predictability and cliche issues, which make it a solid reason to still go watch the film even if it comes without novelty.

Kaatru Veliyidai might start off like a war film, but what it actually has is an intense love structure torn between a doctor and a pilot. The film stresses on an abusive relationship between two well educated individuals, with war episodes and the romance alternating at regular intervals. There’s a lot of reality which is sometimes exaggerated. The patience and the attention that you require for a Mani Ratnam film will definitely be required here as well. The intense sequences between the two are what will be liked by the Mani Ratnam class, but for the others, it may seem too dramatic.

Karthi has visibly lost a lot of weight, and does very well as an actor with respect to his emotional scenes. But it’s his language that doesn’t fit very much into the gel of the character. On the other hand, Aditi Rao Hydari is a welcome new actress to Tamil cinema. She really brings out the emotions very well, and is set for a solid innings in Kollywood. Though both the actors are very good in their roles, they might not seem to fit in as a pair. The other actors come and go, with no big shake for any of them but for being part of a Mani Ratnam film.

Kaatru Veliyidai is technically and musically king size, and that’s what may help you sit through it if you’re not interested in the proceedings. Ravi Varman takes you on a trip to tomorrowland, and AR Rahman’s music is simply the best thing that has happened to the whole product. Kudos to the production design team who bring about a visual delight, sans any doubt.

Kaatru Veliyidai is nothing less than an elitist romance film which is tailor made for the upmarket audience. Mani Ratnam’s circle is no way complete though, things come down thanks to the slow paced narration. Nevertheless, go for it if you are a fan of Ravi Varman or AR Rahman, for you will be easily blown away by their work. Otherwise, a middling romance drama.

Kaatru Veliydiai Movie Review Rating: 3/5

Written by MG Vijayan

Follow @i_mgv

Also read our other Tamil Movie Reviews