Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum

Cast	:	Vijay Sethupathi Madonna Sebastian
Director	:	Nalan Kumarasamy
Cinematographer	:	Dinesh Krishnan
Editor	:	Leo John Paul
Music	:	Santhosh Narayanan
Producer	:	Thirukumaran Entertainment
Release Date	:	March 11, 2016
Length	:	2 Hours & 17 Minutes
Language	:	Tamil

My Thoughts

An illiterate local goon and an educated girl are neighbors. Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum is all about their interactions and their lives when they live in a small apartments as neighbors. Sounds like a tried and tested plot? Wondering what is the need for all the fuss then? Well, I have an answer. Generally what follows in such a story is how their relationship transforms from fear, friendship and finally blooms into love. But, this story has no hurry to make them fall in love and complicate the already-complicated life.

When the statutory warning of smoking and consuming liquor is injurious to health is said in a female’s voice, you instantly know that this movie is going to be different. And I tell you, it never disappoints you. The story narration is from the female’s perspective. I could even say that the protagonist is Yazhini (Madonna Sebastian). Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum is her story. Her family, career, ambitions and struggles. It is her experiences in a small house with a goon as neighbor. Soon, we are introduced to Kathir (Vijay Sethupathi). He is unfit  to be a goon and short-tempered. 

Nalan Kumarasamy of Soodhu Kavvum fame, is an intelligent director and a screenplay writer. He has proved again that he is smart enough to transform a cliché and give a wonderful makeover. The director sets the expectations and ensures that they are met! What stands out in the script is that the characters are presented with flesh and blood. Rowdies are not glorified. Parents are understanding, like yours and mine. They are not like the usual ones we see in films.

The editing is so crisp that there are no dull moment. The dialogues are often quirky. Cinematographer has relied on the realistic lighting. The rains sometimes reminds of the plight Chennai underwent few months ago; how it affected day-to-day lives of people. Background music is really good. And the super hit Ka Ka Ka Po breaks at the right moment. It is the only choreographed song in the film and it is at its best!

Vijay Sethupathi plays the role of Kathir, a local goon who has been in jail for five years after surrendering for a crime which he did not commit. He comes back with the hope of getting a bar license. Meanwhile he meets his neighbor and goes out of the way to help her. Can that be called love? Or some magical emotional connection? Answers are implied in the film. Vijay Sethupathi entertains the audience and yet again proves that he is a very dynamic actor.

Premam fame Madonna Sebastain plays Yazhini, an engineering graduate who is laid off and in look out for another job. Sometimes her lip sinking is bad. But most of the times, she has done a good job and is promising. She is here to stay. Loved her cloths!

I have not watched “My Dear Desperado”, a Korean movie on which Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum is based. I don’t know which is better and which is not. But, I surely know that Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum breaks all the clichés. And, the ending could not be better.

Go for the film. Take your friends and family along. Laugh and enjoy.

I bet that those two hours would turn out be a joy ride!

Rating

3.5/5