Maaveeran Kittu Movie Review

December 2, 2016

2 minutes read

Review Overview

Performances

Screenplay and Direction

Technical Effects and BGM

A Sound, Sensible Portrait of Caste Discrimination!

Maaveran Kittu is everything Kabali could never be. Suseenthiran lays bare the outrageous caste discrimination that was predominant in 1980s in the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu with staggering reality and sensible narration.

Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Parthiepan, Sri Divya, Harish Uthaman, Nagineedu Vellanki, Soori & others

Cinematography: Soorya AR

Music: Imman

Editing: Kasi Vishwanathan

Art Direction: B Sekar

Costumes: D Venkadesh

Dialogues: Yuga Bharathi

Written & Directed by: Suseenthiran

Produced by: Nallu Samy Pictures & Asian Cine Combines

Release Date: 02-12-2016

Run Time: 02:05:00

In his seven-year-old career, director Suseenthiran has tossed a host of surprises with his proficient filmmaking ability that has the potential to both mint money at the box office and earn the favor of critics: Naan Mahaan Alla and Pandianaadu stand testimony to the same. His inventiveness to build solid human stories from the most conventional situations and generic films has been his biggest strength. In his latest outing Maaveran Kittu, which is partly based on real-life events, he lays bare the outrageous caste discrimination that was predominant in 1980s in the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu with staggering reality and sensible narration.

In Maveeran Kittu, Suseenthiran thrusts the importance of ‘equality’ in a society that poses an entrenched resistance to change and is full of haughty, overbearing minds. In short, Maaveran Kittu is everything Kabali could never be. While Ranjith shoved lopsided lines on lower caste vs. upper caste down our throats in Kabali, Suseenthiran handles the effects of social stratification and the appalling inequality with a focused storytelling, compassionately sensitive (not stirring) dialogues and earnest characters.

Set in Pudhur village near Pazhani, the story revolves around the righteous lower-caste boy Krishnakumar aka Kittu (Vishnu Vishal), a twelfth standard state topper who aspires to become a collector.

While the first half brings to light the caste-divide in the village with impeccable authenticity, the second half is centered on a familiar, predictable hide-and-seek sequence. However, the closure of the same paves way to a stirring climax (we saw that coming) and the scenes that lead to it are made believable by Suseenthiran’s narrative finesse that demonstrates reality in all its glory with the help of his characters, who are both life-like and vulnerable (Soori’s character arc is an example of fine writing).

Parthiepan as Chinna Raasu shoulders the second half with his unruffled performance. The serenity of the character is enacted by Parthiepan with great poise and effortlessness. Vishnu Vishal fits the bill as Kittu and does full justice to his role. Maaveran Kittu is, easily, the best film of Vishnu – Suseenthiran’s collaborations.

Imman’s background score is solid at important junctures of the film. Except for the mood-killing song placement of Kannadikala, other tracks have been effectively used to propel the story. Cinematographer Soorya AR’s frames represent the period look very real and succeed in giving life to the non-descript village backdrop. Suseenthiran’s deft employment of certain elements in the screenplay like observing minutes of silence for the demise of former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran and Governor’s rule in the state also add more authenticity to the period setting of the film.

Toting up, Maveeran Kittu is a sound portrait of caste discrimination and one of the best films helmed by Suseenthiran.