Movie Review: Marudhamalai

Marudhamalai: Of constables, cons and corny scenes

Arjun

 

Banner: Aascar Ravichandran
Director: Suraaj
Actors: Arjun, Nila, Vadivelu and others 
Music: D Iman 

What do you get when you throw a few scenes each from Saamy and Mudhalvan, create a few more sequences inspired by yesteryear blockbusters, add Action King Arjun, beautifully choreographed stunt scenes and a heroine in a blink-and-you-miss act? You end up with Oscar Ravichandran’s Marudhamalai, of course.

Counting on the paisa-vasool policy of earlier films, Arjun and Director Suraaj enter the Kollywood arena with yet another potboiler: an upright young Police constable single-handedly wipes out ruling goondas and rowdies, armed with a bare minimum of weaponry, but more lethal fists.

Marudhamalai (Arjun), the son of simple, honest parents (played by Nasser and Kalairani), yearns to join the police force. Passing the required tests, he does so, and his first posting is to Nachiyarpuram, a stronghold of Maasilamani, alias Maasi (Lal), who holds the area within his iron grip, ably assisted by a band of musclemen placed both high and low – and has ensured that the election process has come to a standstill, for the past 16 years.

The first half of the film sees Arjun donning the comic mantle together with Vadivelu, who plays his superior officer, Encounter Ekambaram – a role which Vadivelu performs with ease. His expressions, dialogues and antics make sure that the theatre rolls in mirth whenever he appears. Nila makes a brief appearance as well, as Arjun’s love interest. Matters are going along swimmingly, with Arjun and Vadivelu stirring up life at the Police Station, when Election Commissioner Suryanarayanan IAS (Raghuvaran) appears on the scene, demanding to know the whys and wherefores of the political ruin of Nachiyarpuram. A rabid round of meetings follow; Election Commissioner and Maasi meet; duly challenge each other, and mayhem ensues, with Arjun’s father first threatening Maasi who messes up the elections, Maasi’s dusting up of him – which brings an irate Arjun to the scene. A marvelous bout of fisticuffs ensues – resulting in Maasi’s first taste of opposition.

From hereon, matters take a predictable turn, with stylish stunts executed by a sweaty, trim Arjun (who is now promoted as an Inspector, and gives out his cell number so the public can call in times of distress), dozens of rowdies and a Maasi who’s locked up in jail and bellows at frequent intervals. It is a credit to Lal that he can infuse some energy into such a role. Actors such as Shanmugarajan are wasted – but provide Arjun with an opportunity to exhibit not just brawn, but some brain as well. Raghuvaran makes some impact as well, if you can ignore his finger-wagging – a pity that he appears in just a brief way in the latter half. He’d have made a kick-ass hero.

Arjun snatches some time in the middle to romance Nila – the sequence where she displays her ‘tiny wishes’ produces some laughter, but all the times where she tumbles on top of him doesn’t – dances a little with Sharan Preethi to D Iman’s numbers, full of noise and thundering beats. Maruthamalai Mamaniye Murugaiya is a saving grace, though, with its lilting melody. Meantime, in a climax that reminds you powerfully of the one in Saamy, Arjun packs off the evil-doers in a spectacular fashion, rousing the whole country to applause.

It’s the Action King’s movie all the way. Block out the noise, yells, screams, villains and slinky heroine, and you retain an impression of a slick Arjun who can deliver punches with ease, who speaks and dances moderately well, and can arrange his facial features enough to suit the (meager) emotions required of him. Aside from his obvious fixation with the movies mentioned in the first line, he actually makes the action look good –during some fleeting moments. The rest is a yawn inducing exercise that might test the patience of a saint.

If you’re hell-bent on watching it – get large ear-plugs.

Star rating: 2

Speed Review: Zealous constable Arjun takes on menacing uber-rowdy Maasi and single-handedly vanquishes him with fancy moves.

My Note: Okay, I’m kicking off with the first review I wrote for Rediff. Why am I posting all this, you ask? because I need a record of what I actually wrote in my space, of course. I remember that I went with my mum for this one – and actually fell asleep during some parts. Both of us. 

For the review published on Rediff, go here.