Vallakkottai

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Arjun, Ashish Vidyarthi, Suresh, Livingston, Ganja Karuppu, Haripriya
Director : A.Venkitesh
Music : Dhina

In the last decade, actor Arjun has not got any big hits, other than an average one like 'Giri' to maintain his name 'Action King'. The last release from him was just a month before, where he joined hands with Mammootty for the movie 'Vandemaatharam'; but the result was not positive for him. A.Venkitesh, the director of action entertainers like 'Aye', 'Kuthu', 'Dum', 'Bhagavathi', 'Malai Malai', 'Maanja Velu' etc had decided to take the megaphone for Arjun. The two had teamed up before for movies like 'Durai' and 'Vathiyar', which were not popular as expected.

The promotional stills of the hero in different appearances, reminds the director Shankar's debut hit, 'Gentleman'. When going through the titles, I was surprised to see the name of malayalees for the story credit. They are none other than Rafi-Mecartin; the doubt is clarified during the first scene inside the jail, the conclusion is that 'Vallakkottai' is the remake of Mammootty's hit movie, 'Mayavi'. The interest gradually came down, only thing to be noted here is that how far the new version been successful in keeping us alive.

Muthuvel (Arjun) is lucky to be freed from the jail on the independence day. He reached Vallakkottai to make money so that can help his friend's brother who has to undergo a major surgery. When reached there, he got involved in the grudge happening between two families (lead by Ashish Vidyarthi and Suresh). He is taking revenge without revealing his identity, in the name of Vaayu Puthiran.

The jail scenes involving Vennirai Aadai Moorthy in the beginning are not attractive. The villain in the jail is not flexible, he is seen many times in the second half also, which is not a good sight. The different get ups given for Arjun, reminds us of the black and white movies, where heroes like NTR, MGR, Prem Nazir etc hides their identity using a single dark mole in their face. In the current age, it is pity to repeat some attempts almost similar to it. The carpets on the floor are clearly revealed in the action scenes, which shows that it is done by some inexperienced people.

Arjun's old look is revealed in his appearance, his flexibility is not at the best. It is time for him to concentrate on the script (like 'Karna') and direction sides more. Don't forget that he has directed movies like 'Sevagan', 'Prathap', 'Jai Hind', 'Vedham', Ezhumalai' etc. Mammootty was good for the title role, but Arjun is not fully fit for the role that demands some comedy elements also. Kannada girl Haripriya ('Kanakavel Kaakka' fame) is not having the great looks necessary for a heroine. Sathyan, who comes as hero' companion has also not done well. Songs by Dhina are not good, hence it has affected the dance choreography also. Anjaneyalu is the cinematographer and Kay Kay is the editor.

The relevance in which the songs at abroad are shot in the coastal areas and back water sides are not understanding, as the story of the movie is happening in a place which is surrounded by water. The director had decided to shot the movie at the same place where the original version happened, thus the scenes in the boat, swimming in water, harbor area etc have been repeated here also, which is not a good custom. Even the friend's character of the hero is a similar figure that of Manoj K.Jayan.

Even after getting a promotable story, the scripting and the presentation sides can make a movie weaker; 'Vallakkottai' is the best example for such a phenomenon.


Rating : 3.5 / 10

Kanakavel Kaakka

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Karan, Haripriya, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Sampath, Anil Adityan
Director : Kavin Baala
Music : Vijay Antony

Actor Karan came to the industry in his childhood days (as Master Raghu) in the early 80's through the malayalam movie 'Ina' by I.V.Sasi. After doing hero oriented roles in many movies (even in some b-grade ones also), he reached tamil as a villain in the 90's through K.S.Sethumadhavan's 'Nammavar', opposite Kamalhassan. He continued doing negative characters and was also spotted in many supporting roles also. In the last 5 years, he has become a hero and as his movies like 'Kokki' and 'Karuppusaamy Kuthaigathaarar' did well at the box office, producers have started running after him. Karan's new movie 'Kanakavel Kaakka' is written and directed by debutant Kavin Baala. New face Haripriya is the heroine. 'Vettaikkaaran' fame Vijay Antony is the music director.

Kanakavel (Karan) is a government servant working in the high court. In the beginning, he is shown aiming the gun to kill the minister (Kota Sreenivasa Rao) at a public function. It ended in a failure and the police officer (Anil Adityan), who is in charge of the investigation, finds the machine gun from the spot. Kanakavel is targeting the rich men who are committing crimes and got freed by the court, as per loop holes in the law. Sandhya (Haripriya), who came across Kanakavel, a couple of times, likes his attitude and started loving him. But he was not having time for romance. At one moment, he tells her the reason for the revenge. Whether the police is successful in catching him before that is shown in the action packed climax of 'Kanakavel Kaakka'.

The story of this movie is a mix masala of many movies in the 80's (like 'Naan Sivappu Manithan'), 'Ramana' and director Shankar's 'Gentleman', 'Indian', 'Anniyan' etc. Karan is ok for the role, but his dance sequences with the heroine sometimes stands odd. As every heroine in commercial movies, Haripriya is also placed for the dance numbers. Kota Sreenivasa Rao has done well with his experience. Sampath and Anil Adityan are also good. Vaiyapuri, as the ministers PA is over acting most of the time. Songs by Vijay Antony are not the best and it comes in unnecessary occasions. His bg score reminds of 'Anniyan', at times. The visuals of the songs are also very average. Shaji is the cinematographer and Suresh URS is the editor.

The lengthy dialogue at the court in the climax is good as it is adapted from the real world. The visuals in the flash back family song is a repetitive thing only. The new police officer linking the hero's hands with the crime, happens suddenly, which should have been avoided. The climax fight happens in the court, in the absence of police felt a deliberately created situation. The hero wearing a big mustache in the song to hide his identity is an old formula. All the incidents happening at the same court in the presence of same judge, doesn't felt realistic.


We have seen some excellent revenge subjects in tamil before; even after adapted many incidents from that movies, 'Kanakavel Kaakka' doesn't rise up to the real standard.


Rating : 4 / 10