Muthirai

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Daniel Balaji, Nithin Sathya, Lakshmi Rai, Manjari Phadnis
Director : Srinath
Music : Yuvanshankar Raja

Vikram Bhatt, the notable producer in bollywood has also directed films like ‘Raaz’, ‘Ghulam’, ‘Jurm’ etc. He is the script writer of films ‘Aetbaar’, ‘Bardasht’ etc. He has now crossed the territory and reached south to produce a film. He joined hands with Vision Jeeva Studios (late cinematographer-director’s production house) for the film named ‘Muthirai’. Aneez Thanvir Jeeva, wife of Jeeva is the script writer and the creative director. It is directed by debutant Srinath. May be a new comer behind the camera, but he has got experience as an actor through films like ‘Santhosh Subramanyam’, ‘Dhaam Dhoom’ etc.

The pre production and promotional stills of the film created great expectation. The posters in the dark shade gave an action feel to ‘Muthirai’ (“mudra” in malayalam; that means symbol). The casting is also different. Daniel Balaji, who played the cop’s role in ‘Kaakka Kaakka’ and the villain’s role in ‘Vettayadu Vilayadu’ is one among the heroes. The second one is Nithin Sathya (‘Chennai 600028’, ‘Satham Podathe’, ‘Pandhayam’ fame). The heroines are Lakshmi Rai and Manjari Phadnis (she acted in some films and also done a supporting role in ‘Jane Tu Ya Jane Na’).

This is the second film which got released on the same date (in Kerala) with an identical story line. Already, we have discussed about ‘Vamanan’. That particular film has got the theme almost similar to ‘Muthirai’. Both the films are based on the murder of a political leader and a video tape in which the culprit’s face is caught. The heroes are being targeted; the villains ran behind them when the tape accidently reaches their hands. Some top officials from the police also join hands with the villains. In the end the heroes are safe and the villains are destroyed.

The base concepts of the two films are same. Here they have provided two heroes and their pairs. One of them (Nithin Sathya) reaches city after escaping from small robbery attempts in the village. He joins hands with another person (Daniel Balaji) who is also leading the life in a similar way. Kishore is the police commissioner. The culprit politicians (Ponvannan) and his orderly (Riyaz Khan) are running behind the tape. In the middle you got a usual love track also. The suspense regarding the politician’s brother (Anand), who got wounded in the attack, is revealed in the end.

Daniel Balaji, who has proved the talent through his previous projects, is not suited well for the hero’s role. Nithin Sathya is over acting all the time. The way in which the heroine (Manjari) getting love with him, the very moment in which he introduces him as a CBI officer is too cinematic and un believable. The romantic scenes and the song situations featuring two couples are also not neatly executed. Yuvan had given some peppy songs, but I am doubtful about its popularity. Rakhi Sawant did an item number also. Saleem,the cinematographer has done his job well. Anthony is the editor.

It is notable that other than Lakshmi Rai, we have got Yuvanshnakar Raja (music), Na. Muthukumar (lyricist), Kalyan (choreographer), Stun Siva (action director) etc who got the rare opportunity to work in ‘Muthirai’ and ‘Vamanan’. Since both the films got released in the same time and are adapted from Hollywood flicks like ‘Déjà vu’ and ‘Following’, the information is relevant. On the making side, both the Indian versions didn’t come near to the original edition.

‘Muthirai’ is an action film which created some hope before releasing. But, the ingredients won’t give you a positive feel once you watched it.

Rating : 5 / 10