Review Overview
Manipulative, haplessly written!
Director Sathyasiva's sophomore feature Sivappu is a manipulative, tedious and haplessly written film centered on Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
Cast: Naveen Chandra, Raj Kiran, Rupa Manjari, Thambi Ramaiah & others
Cinematography: Madhu Ambat
Music: NR Radhunanthan
Editing: MU Kasi Viswanathan
PRO: Mounam Ravi
Direction: Sathyasiva
Produced by: Muktha Entertainment & SG Films
Release Date: 16-10-2015
Run Time: 02:03:00
Director Sathyasiva’s third feature Sivappu is a manipulative, tedious and haplessly written film which is centered on Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. Tamil film-makers have milked to death the controversial plight of Sri Lankan Tamils without a shred of responsibility to the medium in a large number of films. Only very few matured story-tellers like Mani Ratnam and Santhosh Sivan have stood out from the rest and delivered sympathetic yet sensible stories on the Tamil expatriates.
Director Sathyasiva, without any second thoughts, has his intentions in the right place. But the narration, which is replete with melodrama and cliched sequences, does not come up to scratch.
The more the story-tellers try to evoke sympathy in audiences through visuals, the more impact it is certain to leave. The more they prefer the use of sentimental, rhyming one-liners without any relevant context, the more outrage it is certain to bring to the minds of audiences. Sivappu clearly falls under the second category where Sathyasiva lazily attempts to gain the favor of audiences with conscience-piercing one-liners.
In a bid to head to Australia, a group of innocent Sri Lankan Tamil refugees decide to escape from a shelter home in Tamil Nadu. But, the sailor who promised them to take to Australia runs away with the money. The stranded refugees are given shelter, moral support and menial jobs by a building constructor called Konar, played by the bankably excellent Rajkiran. The rest of the story deals about whether Konar helps them reach Australia or not, how the government deprives expatriate community their basic freedom and of course, an unappealing love story between the leads Naveen Chandra, who works under Konar and Rupa Manjari, who plays the role of one of the refugees.
The basic problem with Sivappu is the lethargic attitude with which Sathya has narrated the story which is quite predictable and boring. It is a good example for film-makers to keep in mind the fact that ‘good intentions alone won’t make a good movie’.
The bizaare turn of events in the second half, especially before the climax, is evidently contrived. The maladroit manipulation Sathya has managed to conspire barely brings a tear to the eye.
Sivappu Movie Review Rating: 2.25/5
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Written by Surendhar MK