Review Overview
Performances
Story & Narration
Technical Aspects & Music
Fairly engaging action thriller.
In Vikram Prabhu’s latest film Thuppakki Munai, director Dinesh Selvaraj makes good use of his resources to bring about an engaging thriller that is devoid of needless commercial compromises. Of course, it would have done better with more twists and had the production values been more effective, but the film never halts and keeps going with its core in hand at all points. A fine watch on the whole.
Cast: Vikram Prabhu, Hansika, MS Baskar, Vela Ramamoorthy, Abhirami & others
Cinematography: Rasamathi
Music: LV Muthuganesh
Editing: Bhuvan Srinivasan
Stunts: Anbarivu
PRO: Diamond Babu
Written & Directed by: Dinesh Selvaraj
Produced by: Kalaippuli S Thanu
Banner: V Creations
Release Date: 14-12-2018
Run Time: 02:03:00
Stylish action films have always had a corner of their own in Tamil cinema. Directors usually pick this genre when they have a budget that is slightly into the medium range, with an actor who can pull off the fights. In Vikram Prabhu’s latest film Thuppakki Munai, director Dinesh Selvaraj makes good use of his resources to bring about an engaging thriller that is devoid of needless commercial compromises.
At the base of the film is a story of a father and daughter, who unfortunately get bitten by the rape bug. This tees off a series of events which ultimately land into the hands of Vikram Prabhu, who is honest in essaying the role of Birla Bose. Fed with encounters, suspensions and transfers, the man takes up the case only to find out that there is more to it than what meets the eye.
When one goes through the plot line of the film, Thuppakki Munai might seem too generic. But it Dinesh Selvaraj’s presentation which makes you sit and invest your time in the proceedings. Of course, it would have done better with more twists and had the production values been more effective, but the film never halts and keeps going with its core in hand at all points. While the first half builds up the story interestingly, the second half goes a little overboard with its melodrama but still ends up without boring you out.
After a slew of disappointments, this is a good outing for Vikram Prabhu, who is strong and earnest in the role. His intense eyes and elderly look provide a different makeover for the actor, who gets his share of scenes to let his acting skills loose. Hansika has only about 15 minutes of screen time, but kudos to the director for not diluting her role through songs or an unnecessarily stretched romance track. Once again, MS Bhaskar impresses in a role tailor-made for him, while the rest of the cast are apt in their slots.
Thuppakki Munai’s cinematography nicely captures the coastlines of Rameshwaram, with Bhuvan Srinivasan’s edit pattern helping the film’s flow. LV Muthu Ganesh’s songs may not have made a mark, but the background score (albeit being occasionally loud) definitely elevates the film’s thrill quotient.
In totality, Thuppakki Munai is a fine watch which surely cannot be dissed as a bad film.