Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu

Cast: Vishnu, Saranya Mohan, Kishore
Language: Tamil
Banner: Imagine Creations
Director: Susindhran
Producer: K. Anand Chakravarthy
Camera: J. Laxman Kumar
Story: Susindhran
Screenplay: Susindhran
Dialogue: Baskar Sakthi
Lyrics: Na Muthukumar
Music: V. Selvaganesh
Year: 2009

After all those mindless action mass masalas dished out in the recent past, debutant director Susindhran's Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is refreshingly fresh and innovative.

The film has a tight script but does not break new ground, nor does it tell a dramatically different story. But what it does have is a very ‘clean’ screenplay with all the typical elements of a good sports film in place.

The Kabbadi coach played by Kishore, may be unconventional from what the actor has played so far. But as an inspiring coach who can make a bunch of guys from a small town forget their differences and play as a team is a revelation. The first rule Mr. Coach teaches his boys is to fight against all odds, religion and rejects in life to triumph in the end.

In fact, Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu has traces of Director Shimit Amin’s Chak De India with Tamil nativity and a game that is hugely popular in rural Tamilnadu. There’s a set-up, a build-up and truly stunning twist in the climax. The story is executed neatly with the right elements in place and hence the film works perfectly.

In fact, the plot and the screenplay of Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is a no-brainer, it is designed to be a crowd-pleaser from the very word go — there’s the basic underdog story at the core, there is soft romance ( Vishnu and Saranya) thrown in, pleasing and melodious songs and an excellent background score (debutant V. Selvaganesh). On the downside the first half is a bit slow and predictable, the Thiruvizha scenes and the milieu, looks familiar and has traces of some recent films.

How can you not root for an underdog team of simple, uneducated group of youngsters who are ridiculed by their respective families? Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu is a compelling film to watch and much of its charm lies in the fresh lead pair, the bunch of simple villagers who are so lovable and endearing. The comedy track is part of the film and is thoroughly enjoyable like the newly married pencil thin guy who gorges Parottas by the dozens.

Kishore is the scene stealer and has done a neat job very convincingly. New face Vishnu is promising as he gets his emotions correct. Saranya is cute and her expressive eyes say it all. All the new guys in the Kabbadi team are simply too good.

On the whole, this film will surely keep you glued to your seat because the match scenes look real and edge of the seat. It’s a sports film in the true spirit and if even if you are not a fan of Kabbadi game, it’s unlikely that the film will bore you because it is fast paced with a racy lead to an unexpected and stunning climax.

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