Irudhi Suttru/Saala Kadoos

Cast	:	R. Madhavan Ritika Singh Nassar, Radha Ravi
Director	:	Sudha Kongara Prasad
Cinematographer	:	Sivakumar Vijayan
Music	:	Santhosh Narayanan
Producer	:	Y NOT Studios UTV Motion Pictures Thirukumaran Entertainment (Tamil)
Release Date	:	January 29, 2016
Length	:	1 Hour and 52 Minutes
Language	:	Tamil/Hindi

My Thoughts

Sudha Kongara’s directorial debut is a bilingual Irudhu Suttru (Tamil) and Saala Kadoos (Hindi). The plot is clichéd – An underdog wins! But, it is dealt with and portrayed in a not-so-clichéd manner. Unlike Mary Kom (Apologies. The comparison is inevitable, both being Inam woman boxer’s story), this is a non-fiction and therefore, takes more advantages in projecting the emotions and building relationships. The story is more relationship-driven and connects with the audience emotionally.

Editing is crisp, thereby makes the narrative free-flowing, yet impactful. The background score blends with the situations and two songs – Vaa Machaney well-choreographed and Usuru Narambula stays in heart. The cinematography adds shades to the movie and defines the mood.

When Madhi (Ritika Singh) starts developing feelings for her mentor Prabhu (Tamil)/Adi (Hindi) enacted by Madhavan, it raises a danger alarm. As audience, we are worried that this story might fall into the age-old cliché. Surprisingly, it doesn’t! When Madhi’s mother is supportive of her daughter’s aspirations, her father is not. Another cliché shattered here. And the movie stands apart because of these aspects.

R Madhavan as bulky and brutal coach who is a failure in both professional and personal life infuses credibility to his character. He never crosses his boundary as a man with his students, but goes out of the way as mentor. The way his selflessness blooms from selfishness is a transformation that would steal our hearts. He is subdued and subtle. Example, the scene with Nassar when he goes out drinking with him the second time. He is brilliant! Overall, he has delivered his best!

Ritika Singh, a real life boxer and debutant actor is a show stealer. Her energy sees no bounds, her smile tickles us with joy, her failures affect us and her victory makes us jump and punch the air.  

In short, the movie will inspire you. It instills hope. It fills you with optimism and hope.

Go for it!!!

Rating

3.5/5