Pandigai Movie Review

Writer & Director : Feroz
Producer : Vijayalakshmi Ahathian
Cast : Kreshna Kreshna, Anandhi, Aathma Patrick
Music : R.H. Vikram
Cinematography : Aravind
Editor : Prabaahar
Production company : Tea Time Talks Production
Running Time : 131 mins

Kreshna has been attempting with unique scripts and roles in every film from the beginning of his career and ‘Pandigai’ definitely has been expected to be yet another feather to his cap. The film is bankrolled by actress Vijayalakshmi and is directed by her husband Feroz.

Employed as a waiter at star hotel, Kreshna aspires to settle in abroad for his livelihood. Being helpless from every corner to earn money essential for this purpose, he gets an opportunity to earn money through illegal underground fighting, which is hosted by a goon (Madhusudhan). Witnessing the raging nature of Kreshna over a fight at wine shop, Saravanan introduces Kreshna into the world that is unknown to anyone. Sooner they go through whole lot of unexpected upheavals and turbulences after getting intensely involved with this game and goon.

The aboriginal attraction that steals the attention is that Pandigai deals with a theme that was not seen much before in any Tamil cinema. Of course, we have seen the theme of boxing and wrestling, but this one is pretty different from such erstwhile concepts. Director Feroz deserves special mention for picking up an unconventional ground. Moreover, the narrative strokes during the first half keeps you so much engaged with tight and gripping moments. The director has to thank his editor and cinematographer for being strong pillars to his screenplay. But the course of story turns into a different direction by second half. Although, it doesn’t act like a barrier, but gives an impression of watching two different films. The post-intermission sequences have a slight push down in pace, but Feroz brings things back to right moments sooner and it travels well gripping till the end. But then, the second hour being a different dimension as it refrains from continuing the basic plot conceived in the first half leaves us disappointed slightly.

Kreshna breathes his heart and soul into the role for the characterization he has played. He has strained a lot over his efforts, especially in the action sequences. In fact, this can be regarded as his rebirth in the industry. But when it comes to Anandhi, she hardly has anything to perform here. Feroz could have sketched up a distinctive character for her, which would have made the film yet more convincing. Madhusudhan delivers a commendable performance, though it’s a stereotypical role. Saravanan makes an impressive acting with his role.

There are very few constraints in the film that includes unwanted romantic episodes and an item song, which if some avoided and few modified would have made the film more gripping.