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'Thoothukudi' An average gangster movie

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

Films on gangsters seem to be the staple of Tamil cinema in 2006. Already, half a dozen films of this genre have seen the light of the day this year. Thoothukudi is yet another flick that deals with the life and times of gangsters and mafia dons.

What is surprising, though, is that this movie on crime and criminals has been directed by dance choreographer Harikumar. It is a double debut for Harikumar : he has directed the film and played the hero as well.

Although the theme is hackneyed, director Harikumar has tried to make it a film with a difference. But, unfortunately for him, the script is weak. May be Hari should have explored a dance-oriented theme which would have enabled him to show his mettle.

The

story is old wine in new bottle. An orphan Maha (Harikumar) lands in Thoothukudi. Maha, who is in search of a job, comes in contact with Lingam (Rehman) the local mafia don. In the course of time, Maha becomes Lingam’s chief lieutenant. In between Maha falls in love with a teacher (Karthika). The Maha-Lingam bond is broken when Lingam kills a friend of Maha. The duo drift apart.

Though Thoothukudi is not a brilliantly directed film, Harikumar has managed to lend deft directorial touches here and there. For instance, his handling of the scenes where Lingam strikes deals with the police is imaginative. Equally innovative is Maha’s first meeting with Lingam in jail. These frames provide glimpses of the talent that can make Harikumar a good director.

Harikumar himself leads the cast. And in the role of the orphan who becomes a gangster, Hari has given a reasonably good performance. Karthika, another debutant, is a competent teacher. And she comes into her elements in the dance scenes. Navin Balaji as Esaki, Maha's friend, and Shweta as Esaki's wife give a good account of themselves.

Mention must also be made of Rehman’s Lingam. It is another competent performance from Rehman who played an excellent police officer in Raam.

Jeeva’s excellent camerawork and Sai Suresh’s efficient editing set the mood of the film. Praveen Mani’s music score is also excellent. Two numbers, “Sollamal” and “Karuvapaiyya” have caught popular imagination.

An average movie on crime which could have been better with more imaginative direction.

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