Thangalaan

 

Director : Pa. Ranjith

Producers : K.E. Gnanavelraja, Neha Gnanavelraja

Music Director: G.V. Prakash Kumar

Cinematographer: Kishor Kumar

Editor: Selva Rk

Thangalaan is Vikram’s latest film, which has caught everyone’s imagination. Thanks to the promotions, the film was released today in Telugu with decent hype. Directed by Pa Ranjith, Thangalaan has Malavika Mohanan as the female lead. Read to find out whether the film lives up to all the hype or not.

Story:

"Thangalaan" is set in 1850 CE in the village of Veppur, North Arcot. The story follows Thangalaan, the chief of a tribal group, who is hired by the British to search for gold in his village. This decision angers the local community, led by Aarathi (played by Malavika Mohanan), leading to a fierce conflict between Thangalaan’s tribe and Aarathi’s forces. The film explores how this battle unfolds against the backdrop of British colonial rule.

TRAILER:- 

Highlights:

Pa Ranjith has created an impressive setup, with a story, cast, and backdrop that showcase the depth and complexity of his storytelling. "Thangalaan" delves into various themes, including suppression, Buddhism, and the mistreatment of women by men in the tribe, making the narrative rich and layered.

Vikram shines in the title role, delivering a powerful performance that captivates with his look, body language, and dialect. His portrayal of Thangalaan is a standout aspect of the film, leaving a lasting impression.

Malavika Mohanan surprises with her intense performance, breaking away from her usual glamorous roles. Pa Ranjith brings out her best, particularly in her confrontation scenes with Vikram. Parvathy Thiruvothu, who plays Vikram’s wife, also delivers an elegant performance.

The film’s production design is a major asset, with meticulous attention to detail that vividly brings the bygone era to life. The fight sequences are well-executed, adding to the film’s realism, especially in the second half.

Drawbacks:

One noticeable issue is the Telugu dubbing, which, due to being done in sync with the sound, may feel slightly off, requiring some adjustment to the dialogue’s pace. Another significant drawback is the VFX, which is subpar and can be distracting.

While Pa Ranjith is known for his realistic direction and technical skills, the lack of attention to the VFX is disappointing. The film has an art cinema feel but is presented in a commercial format, which may be difficult for hardcore Telugu cinema fans to fully embrace.

Additionally, Pa Ranjith's films often focus on themes of oppression, and this is evident in "Thangalaan" as well. However, after a point, these scenes become predictable and lose their impact. The characters of Malavika Mohanan and her tribe could have been developed more thoroughly, which would have added more depth to the story.