Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay and Direction
Technical Aspects and BGM
An Assured Directorial Debut!
Despite the tried and tested storyline, Kidaari sparkles in its presentation and the brilliantly written screenplay. What makes Kidaari more interesting is the grippingly rendered storytelling of debutant director Prasath Murugesan.
Cast: Sasikumar, Nikhila Vimal, Vela Ramamurthy, OAK Sundar, Mu. Ramasamy, Napoleon
Cinematography: SR Kathir
Music: Darbuka Siva
Editing: Praveen Antony
Screenplay & Direction: Prasath Murugesan
Produced by: Sasikumar
Release Date: 02-09-2016
Despite the tried and tested storyline, Kidaari sparkles in its presentation and the brilliantly written screenplay. It has one of the well-staged, chaotically stirring opening sequences in recent times.
What makes Kidaari more interesting is the grippingly rendered storytelling of debutant director Prasath Murugesan. The film, in most parts, is well within the bounds of a mainstream rural drama and also stands apart from it simultaneously with a fresh, bold narrative approach which is peppered with violence, bloodshed and double-edged caste references.
Prasath Murugesan nails the episodic narrative approach with an impressive supporting cast, which is rounded out by Vela Ramamoorthy, who turns in a terrific performance as Kombaiah Pandian, Mu. Ramasamy, Suja Varunee and OAK Sundar. The protagonist role of Kidaari is unbelievably tailor-made for Sasikumar, who, after a long time, has delivered a level-headed performance unlike his recent over-the-top outings. Even the romance track of Sasikumar and Nikhila is reasonably enjoyable this time.
With a central plot as controversial as the Thevar-Nadar conflict, Prasath Murugesan shows great maturity in handling the subject matter, which is insanely prone to outrage wars. His smart writing and designing of various characters (watch out for the character ‘SN Kalai’) with great depth makes him one of the emerging talents to watch out for.
Love, revenge, greed, self-esteem, gratitude and acrimony have been part of rural dramas since time immemorial. But, what makes Kidaari distinct is the assured and effective use of visual media to establish characters and present stunt scenes with a creative touch.
If Darbuka Siva’s album was hailed for its reinvigorating blend of folk and western sounds, his background score and orchestration abilities accelerate the proceedings to a different level. When songs are considered as momentum spoilers of late, Prasath Murugesan’s placement of tracks in Kidaari is really commendable. Be it the barren lands of Saathur or the dimly-lit nooks and corners, cinematographer SR Kathir’s frames are tastefully composed.
Kidaari Movie Review Rating: 3.25/5
Written by Surendhar MK