1977

Cast: Sarathkumar, Farzana, Namitha, Jayasudha, Vivek, Rohith, Radha Ravi, Rajkotti, Vijayakumar, Ilavarasu
Language: Tamil
Banner: Radaan Mediaworks, RSK Pictures (P) Ltd.
Director: G.N. Dinesh Kumar
Producer: Radika Sarathkumar
Camera: K. Bhupathy
Story: G.N. Dinesh Kumar
Screenplay: G.N. Dinesh Kumar
Music: Vidyasagar
Year: 2009

Sarath Kumar and action seems inseparable. The actor, who has made a name for himself being part of action-packed ventures, has come out with a movie that is racy from the first frame. Ad man –turned – director Dinesh Kumar has tried to showcase Sarath Kumar as a ‘desi’ James Bond, who romances and fights hard (jumps from sky-scrapers, dives from helicopters, bashes group of baddies and shoots distant targets at ease).

Donning a dual role that of a father and son is Sarath Kumar. However what is strikingly different in this routine commercial formula film is Dinesh Kumar’s sincere attempt to make it look stylish. In a nutshell, it is the story of a son taking cudgels against a gang of baddies in foreign soil to avenge the atrocities they had committed some three decades ago on his father.

The movie begins at a fishing hamlet in Tamil Nadu where an elderly Rajashekar (Sarath Kumar) is worshipped as ‘God Father’ by many. His amiable ways of living won him many friends. His son Vettrivel (younger Sarath Kumar) is an acclaimed scientist. He is received with gusto by the whole village after he returns winning awards from Central government.

Unfortunately a glance at a vernacular on a new report on Malaysia shocks Rajashekar, who immediately develops cardiac arrest and dies. Vettrivel comes to know about the incident and decides to unravel the mystery behind his death. He sets off to Malaysia. Vettrivel gets acquainted with a local reporter Inba (Farzana), who falls for Vettrivel. With her help, he finds find out a disturbing truth about his father’s life. Rajashekar is former police officer in Malaysia who falls to the conspiracy of a baddie and arrested for no fault of his. Rajashekar eventually pays the price for being honest by losing his family and settles down in Tamil Nadu with his young son.

In his quest to prove that his father is innocent, Vettrivel re-opens the case and gets the help of Chandhini (Namitha) a lawyer who is the daughter of erstwhile public prosecutor. He also finds his mother (Jayasudha) in the process. The rest of the movie is all but how Sarath Kumar rewrites history – proves that his father is innocent and avenge the bad elements.

Sarath Kumar as usual excels in the stunt sequences. As a cop in Malaysian police, he is perfect fit. He is ravishing in formal outfits. He is right there singing romantic duets at catchy locales of Phuket.

Namitha as usual oozes glamour, while Farzana is adequate. Vivek, who plays Sarath Kumar’s friend, fails to evoke laughter. The rest of the cast includes actress Jayasudha, veterans Vijayakumar and Radha Ravi. The movie, which has enough elements to appease action-lovers, has unfortunately a very weak screenplay. Events unfold in quick pace without any logic or conviction. But Dinesh has managed to sustain some interest towards the latter half. Vidyasagar’s music is a letdown as the songs fails to stick to hearts. Bubathy’s cinematography is good.

The movie which has adrenaline-pumping action is advised strictly for those who love to see action films. With logic less stunt sequences and wafer-thin screenplay, 1977 is a let down.

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