Thoongavanam

When Chennai people were craving for rain unable to bear the fiery heat, rains started hitting since diwali. We thought it was a blessing but soon it turned into a nightmare. We have never experienced such high rainfall in few days. When city had become an island and life was getting sober I received a call today afternoon after 2.30PM from a friend asking me why dont we catch up for a movie. With little hesitation I logged in to check availability of tickets and found tickets were available for Thoongavanam. With lots of confusion, I decided to go on. By the time my friend reached theatre it was almost time with excitement and thinking how we made it we settled down to watch the movie.

Thoongavanam, directed by Rajesh M Selva starring Kamalhassan, Prakash Raj , Kishore , Sampath, Trisha and lot more. Rajesh, an associate of Kamal in Viswaroopam, Manmadhan Ambu. Cinematography by Sanu John Varghese (worked on hindi and tamil movies like Viswaroopam I and II etc) . Music by Ghibran (worked in lots of tamil movies like vagai sooda vaa, thirumanam ennum nikkah, papanasam, uttama villian etc). Editing by Shan Mohammad (worked in lot of hindi movies like wake up sid, my friend pinto etc). Movie screenplay and production by Kamalahassan himself. The movie is based on French Thriller Nuit Blanche.

The movie starts in dark with an old song playing in background. Slowly we realise that the shot from car. As the sun rises, the car starts following another car catching up speed. Kamal and Yugi sethu block the car on a flyover, kills the driver and takes away cocaine in sunlight. He also suffers a knife injury. Kishore and Trisha also part of Narcotics bureau starts investigating the crime scene. Divorced Kamal, a workaholic lives with his son suffering to fulfil his personal commitments. By evening his son goes missing. He comes to know that Vittal Rao ( Prakash Raj) has kidnapped him. Prakash Raj a partner with Sampath in cocaine business demands Kamal to return the cocaine bag to return his son. He also runs an extensive night club. Kamal goes to the night club with the bag but hides it in Men's washroom. Trisha who accidently finds Kamal, follows him and find something wrong. She takes the bag and hides in Women's washroom. Trisha finds him guilty. How he saves his son and proves he is not guilty is the story.

Camera, lighting and music is excellent we get the actual feel of a pub. Lights are differentiated clearly right from parking, entrance of the pub, dance floor, restaurants, bar table, restaurant.  Stunts with Trisha and Kishore are hardcore. Trisha gets perfect makeover for a Narcotics officer. Kishore again does a neat job. There is no over doing with any of the actors. Kamal's son gives a smart act. The way he shows his disappointments about his father being careless or the way he shows off when he is being rescued are wonderful.

 Editing in perfect pace. Continuity of the bleeding in Kamal's shirt is flawless. Every shot, property, character are clearly linked. Right from Soya milk to Uma Riyaz, Kishore car keys to handcuffs , kamal's blazer to his id card etc. Movie gets to the height of reality when Kamal enters the washroom when someone is using it.  During the interval block you literally get to the edge of the seat. Felt Prakash Raj, Yuhi and uma riyaz had a very little role to explore their talents or I should say they were over qualified for the roles. Prakash Raj's wardrobe was ultimate .

Film has No masala sequences, no duets, no kuthu songs, no dragging senti emotional dialogues, no exaggerated fights, no punch dialogues, no glamorous heroines showing navel and coming into picture only for songs. A crisp reality action thriller. Yet another best acting by Kamal. Given Kamal any character he makes us forget that we are simply watching a movie. It feels so real be it CKD or Suyambulingam or viswanathan ( the list I m sure is endless)...