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Pokkiri
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'Pokkiri' An action-packed entertainer

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

There is no escaping the conclusion. ‘Pokkiri’ has put ‘Ilaya Dalapathi’ Vijay back in the No 2 position in Tamil cinema, behind only the redoubtable Rajnikant .

The year 2006 has been bad for Vijay. The only film of his, ‘Aadhi’ did not set the box office on fire. Even ‘Pokkiri’ took a long time in making.

But

all the tension and disappointment are now a thing of the past. Reports say ‘Pokkiri’ has the stamp of a sure-fire hit.

Having said that, it must be stated that ‘Pokkiri’ is no quality flick in aesthetic terms.

The best thing about it is that it has no pretensions to being a quality movie. It is an action-packed entertainer meant for the Vijay fans.

The usual elements that make up a Vijay film are all there : action scenes, dance sequences, the comedy act and, of course, good music. So, suspend your critical faculties and enjoy over two hours of entertainment. A bit too long, one felt.

Praise is due also to director Prabhudeva. He has infused ‘Pokkiri’, a remake of the Telugu flick of the same name, with an energy that informs his phenomenal dancing. And that makes watching ‘Pokkiri’ a pleasurable exercise.

Needless to say, both Vijay and Prabhudeva excel in the dance sequences, fortified by excellent musical support from Mani Sharma.

Tamizh (Vijay) is a criminal who works for his boss and the international mafia don Alibhai (Prakash Raj). The don is blissfully unaware that Tamizh is none other than IPS officer Satyamoorthy who has sneaked into the don’s gang to expose him and get him the just deserts.

In between Tamizh runs into Sruthi (Asin) and instantly falls in love with her. Of course, there is a villain in the love tale in the form of a cop who wants to marry Sruthi. But Tamizh plays the hero and foils the villain’s game plan.

Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner’s (Napolean) daughter is kidnapped. Tamizh swings into action that pits him against the gang of Alibhai himself. The climax is predictable. The hero vanquishes the villains and wins the hand of the fair maiden.

Vijay and Asin make a tremendous pair on the screen and their romance is electrifying. Vadivelu’s comedy act is good in patches but palls in the end. Prakash Raj’s Alibhai is as usual competent.

However, ‘Pokkiri’ is an out and out Vijay film. For once, Vijay excels even in the comedy scenes. In the dance and stunt scenes he is excellent. Here, Prabhu Deva keeps him good company.

The songs from the Telugu original are there. “Aadungada Ennai Suthi” and “Tamil Tamil” are the pick of the lot. The dance sequences have been choreographed well.

All in all, a sweet Pongal gift for Vijay fans.

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