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Pattiyal
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'Pattiyal' Riveting Stuff

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

It is not often that Kollywood comes up with a film that compels attention and earns admiration. Director Vishnuvardhan’s ‘Pattiyal’ is one of the best Tamil movies to see the light of the day in recent times. Kudos to the director for unspooling a gripping expose – shorn of melodrama – on crime and criminals. Its underlying message is relevant too: crime never pays.

Director Vishnuvardhan made a successful debut last year with his film, ‘Arindhum Ariyamalum’. It won critical acclaim as well as popular acceptance. He has kept up the good work in his second film as well. In its stylistic narration and powerful frames radiating energy, ‘Pattiyal’ reminds one of the Mammootty-starrer, Black (Malayalam) , with a similar theme. It was a welcome change. So is ‘Pattiyal’. Not one of those run-of-the-mill flicks that rot in the rut of mediocrity.

‘Pattiyal’

affords us a rich glimpse into the murky world of crime peopled by hired killers and the woes of slum dwellers where crime thrives out of sheer compulsions of life.

Apart from directorial excellence, ‘Pattiyal’ is enriched by top-class performance from the protagonists, slick editing and brilliant camera work. The technicians have combined to make it a memorable movie.

Koshy (Arya) and Selvam (Bharath) are orphans who live in a slum. Both inevitably drift into a life of crime and end up being contract killers working for a middleman Sami (brilliantly essayed by VMC Haneefa). The duo present a glaring contrast. While Koshy is a no-nonsense tough nut, Selvam is a deaf-mute susceptible to emotional frailties.

Into their crime-filled life enter two beautiful belles. Saroja (Padmapriya), a garment company worker falls head over heels in love with Koshy who, however, has no time for such finer emotions.

But Cupid strikes his comrade-in-crime Selvam who takes a liking to Sandhya (Pooja), a salesgirl in a medical shop.

Life takes a decisive turn when the duo are sent on a mission to bump off a businessman and politician Nachimuthu Gounder (Santhanabharathy). By now the killers are a bit tired of their wicked ways. They decide that after this final assignment, they would give up crime and lead a new life. But the plot takes many a twist and turn. Do they succeed in beginning life afresh?

Director Vishnuvardhan is ably assisted by the leading actors. Apart from Arya and Bharath, Haneefa stands out as middleman Sami. Padmapriya surprises you by coming up with a performance totally at variance with her sober image hitherto. Pooja has given a good account of herself as effervescent Sandhya.

Arya and Bharath vie with each other for the top honours. But, it must be admitted that Bharath as the deaf-mute Selvam does a better job. His is a more difficult role to interpret. Bharath holds the centre-stage with a powerful portrayal of the likes and dislikes of a man who cannot communicate. His expressive eyes convey myriad emotions in an eloquent manner.

Arya’s Koshy is a close second. As the tough guy who brooks no nonsense, Arya exudes a body language and mannerism of a hired killer with gusto. It is not totally unlaced with humour. His romantic interludes with Padmapriya are a delight to watch.

A word of high praise is in order for Nirav Shah’s camerawork, and Sreekar Prasad’s editing. Add to it Yuvan Shankar Raja’s melodious music and background score. The final product is riveting stuff. No wonder ‘Pattiyal’ is packing the audience in.

A gripping crime movie crafted by a master craftsman.

Eminently watchable.

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