Kathakali Movie Review

January 14, 2016

2 minutes read

Review Overview

Plot & Narration

Performances

Stunts & Music

A twisty, tantalizing thriller.

Overall, Kathakali is a bold and tough one night story which has enough in it to put Vishal's career back on track. There is action, romance, comedy and everything in it which is a requisite for a must watch.

Cast: Vishal, Catherine Tresa, Karunas, Pawan, Sreejith Ravi, DRK Kiran & Others

Cinematography: Balasubramaniem

Music: Hiphop Tamizha

Editing: Pradeep E Ragav

Written & Directed by: Pandiraj

Produced by: Vishal Film Factory & Pasanga Productions

Distribution: Sri Thenandal Films

Release Date: 14-01-2016

Run Time: 02:05:00

Kathakali is a surefire Pongal treat. The film entertains with all the commercial elements packed in. The plot is revealed with a tight knot unplugged with a perfect pace, moving on to the exciting guessing game which takes you through the second half, keeping you pinned right till the very end. This is indeed Vishal’s strong return after the half-baked Paayum Puli, and the fact that Pandiraj has used the actors perks very well is a blessing in Kathakali’s favour.

A foreign returned Vishal enters his hometown in Cuddalore and still finds Madhusudhan Rao (Thamba) ruining the city with his power and arrogance. After 5 years of his absence Vishal makes a re-entry for a good cause for a marriage function at home, which makes him silent and fades his revenge for the tough times created by Thamba years back. Vishal busy with his marriage arrangements, meets all his friends and invites them for the marriage and in that scenario, explains his romantic portions with Catherine Tresa as Meenu Kutty to his friends and how they have helped him indirectly to win over his love.

Thamba reigns into power with the help of his brother-in-laws being the core strength and as he grows, he gets a lot of enemies who seek his end as a lifetime gift. Jaya Prakash a cameo wants to kill Thamba for kidnapping his daughter, a political leader wants to take a revenge on Thamba for losing the election, two brothers in laws possess a hidden anger on Thamba. More to it, on the other side, there is a police man who also hides his anger, a local leader in the fishermen group who stays with the same motive. With so much to think about, Thamba gets killed with all the doubts falling on Vishal.

With only 3 days for marriage, how Vishal handles the police man who run behind him, Thamba’s men on the other side and at all these situations, Vishal strives for his family who travels in a car just to keep them alive all night. Kathakali explains the interesting events which take place over a night, with a hat tip going to Pandiraj who moulds the commercial claywheel in a matured manner.

Even though there is a huge cast involved, they are all handled well with even the senior actors in small doing complete justice to the script. There are some lags in the first half, but Karunas keeps it going with his good gags.

The songs by Hip Hop Tamizha may not strike full monty, but the BGM is absolutely riveting especially in the second half. Balasubramian’s camera captures wonderful night shots, while Pradeep’s editing is a huge advantage to keep the film at a runtime of 2 hours.

Overall, Kathakali is a bold and tough one night story which has enough in it to put Vishal’s career back on track. There is action, romance, comedy and everything in it which is a requisite for a must watch.