Kaaviya Thalaivan Tamil Movie Review

Cast: Lovers buy Siddharth, Prithviraj, Nasser, Vedhika
Direction: Vasanthabalan
Music: A R Rahman

STORYLINE:

Vasanthabalan’s Kaaviya Thalaivan is set in the backdrop of Tamil theater scenario during 1940s. Sivadas Swamigal (Nasser) runs a drama company, which is known for its strict ways. The company gives intense training to its students under the guidance of Sivadas Swamigal. Many learn their acting lessons there. The company used to travel a lot to stage plays written by stalwarts. Most of the stories are based on mythological stories.

Gomathi Nayagam Pillai (Prithviraj) is one of Sivadas Swamigal’s proud students. He has been brought up and trained by the master right from the childhood. He has a brother like company in Kaliappa Baghavathar (Siddharth)who was an orphan. Both grow together and act together.

Vadivu (Vedika), who has a beautiful face and a voice, joins the troupe. Gomathi is attracted towards her and waits for the chance to propose.

Gomathi turns jealous on Kali who fares better than himself. The Guru appreciates Kali and gives him sumptuous role. Gomathi is put off by this development.

Kali, meanwhile, falls for the local Zameendhar’s daughter (Anaika). Gomathi revelas this to the Guru and tells a lot of bad things about this affair. Guru gets annoyed and bars Kali from performing. Kali keeps himself away from the girl but the girl commits suicide because of the separation. Kali gets dejected and gets away from the troupe. Gomathi takes over the company after the demise of Guru and makes the company a big success.

Kali and Gomathi meet again after a few years. Though Kali helps Gomathi but Gomathi could not reciprocate the same as Kali is always a few steps ahead. To make things worse Vadivu loves Kali.

What happens between the duo forms the crux.

STORY REVIEW:

Since the story of ‘Kaavia Thalaivan‘ is inspired by real life events and enough has already been talked about it, there is no suspense or twists. But still, directorVasanthabalan has managed to sustain the interest of the audience, thanks to his narration and making. ‘Kaavia Thalaivan’ moves like a gripping fresh tale, despite being set in the backdrop of pre-independence era.

Vasantha Balan has ensured an emotional story with some interesting twists. The disappointing factor is that though he has chosen the period of 40s and the theatre groups of that time, he hasn’t done enough justice to the backdrop.

The details of the theatre groups and the nuances of their profession haven’t been told well. The backdrop remains just a backdrop and it doesn’t add real value to the emotional story that revolves around the emotional ups and downs of two friends. The story lacks depth as it just handles the conflicts of two friends with one playing the great soul and the other a man with bad intentions and attitude. The backdrop could have been used in a better manner to add depth or substance to the story.

PERFORMANCES:

Siddharth and Prithviraj take us back to bygone times with their performance, especially emotions. Equally good are Nasser and others. Vedhika looks ravishingly beautiful and her acting is good. She dancing with ease and some grace.

But the real heroes of this film are cinematography and art direction, not to forget about A R Rahman’s music. The tunes and the background music do not actually gel with the times but they are soothing to the ears.

Author Jeyamohan’s dialogues are real assets to the movie.

Positive points

Good work from the whole team
Vasanthabalan’s sincerity
Art direction, cinematography
Rahman’s music
Performance of actors

Negative points

Doesn’t go deep into the period
The basic story is not strong

Verdict:

The movie has come out as a refreshing experience with its spectacular show in terms of art direction and performances.