Movie Review: 80s Build Up

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 Studio Greens's laugh riot, director Kalyaan's Santhanam starrer 80's Build Up, hit theatres today on November 24th.



 The film is set in the 80's, with Santhanam playing a Zamindar's son, a, a huge  movie buff and ardent fan of Kamal Haasan. When his grandfather suddenly dies on the day of Kamal's film release, all hell breaks loose.

He is unable to see the film FDFS. Not only that,  relatives pile in along with strangers who are after the dead body,  looking for diamonds inside it. His Dad ( Naren) gets drunk and falls for one  of his grandfathers' ex girlfriends ( Anandraj in drag, out to get back the diamonds), not knowing her real identity.





But there is silver lining as well. A beautiful girl ( Radhika Preeti) also enters his life when she comes for the condolence with her mom. But everytime he starts to woo her, his sister and her friends intrude to spoil his plans.

All this is being watched by the dead soul, along with Yamaraj, Chitragupta and  others from heaven ( KS Ravikumar, Muniskanth, Redin Kingsley).

What happens to the lovers? How did the diamonds get into the grandfather's stomach? Do the villains get away with their plans?

The film is replete with references to the 80s and tries to rope in the nostalgia in chunks, right from costumes, mannerisms and period references.

A large plethora of veteran  supporting cast members keep entering the scenes, each being given apt screen time,  keeping the viewer engaged and bringing their own brand of humor.

Santhanam is back doing what he does best,  ie making people laugh,  and carries the film effortlessly on his shoulders, ably supported by the large cast and the fast paced screenplay, replete with witticisms and situational comedy.

The large rural family set up lends itself well to a variety of situations for humor and Kalyan uses them to advantage.

Santhanam and Radhika Preeti make a good pair while Anandraj in a lady get up does a good job of his role.

The songs, though refreshing and well shot, act as speedbreakers after a while.  

The visuals are good and the bgm by Ghibran fits the scenario. 

However, all the jokes may not land and some scenes get too loud and a few get crass. The large house set and props give off a tv serial vibe in several places and could have been better handled. Scenes seem repetitive at times.

Overall, the film is aimed at family audiences, offering its own brand of humor, with touches of nostalgia, a plethora of  character actors and mindless fun in Santhanam style.

Rating 3/ 5

*80's Build up Cast and Crew Details*

Studio Green K.E. Gnanavelraja presents Santhanam Starring '80s build up'written and directed by S Kalyaan

Movie Credits:

Starring :

SANTHANAM

RADHIKA PREETHI

K.S.RAVIKUMAR

ANAND RAJ

MANSOOR ALI KHAN

R.SUNDAR RAJAN

AADUKALAM NAREN

MUNISHKANTH

REDIN KINGSLEY

MOTTAI RAJENDIRAN

THANGADURAI

SWAMINATHAN

MANOBALA

MAYILSAMY

SANGEETHA

KALAIRANI

SUBHASHINI KANNAN

ASHWIN

MIPPUSAMY

ARJAI

“COOL” SURESH

VINOTH SAGAR

“SUPER GOOD” SUBRAMANI

SHESHU



Directed by : S KALYAN


Director of Photography : JACOB RATHINARAJ


Music : GHIBRAN


Art : A.R. MOHAN


Editor : M.S.BHARATHI


Action : RAVI STUNT & HARI DINESH


Dialogues : S KALYAN


Writer : S KALYAN


Lyrics : MUTHAMIL & ENNUM MANGGALAM PALANESAMY


Recording Engineer : TONY J


Chief Co Director : -


Costume Designer : PALANI


Costumes : -


Makeup : 

A.R.ABDUL RAZAK 

MOHAMED

ANAND

VENKATESHWARAO(HAIR DRESSER)

PAVITHRA.B (HAIR STYLIST)    

                                                        

Special Make up - 


Choreography : DINESH & ROCK SHANKAR


Sound Design : A.SATHIS KUMAR


Stills : SAI SANTOSH


Publicity Design : GIBSON UGA


Colorist: SIVA SANKAR V


VFX : CRAYON MEDIA


Co-Directors : -


Associate Director : 

V.DINESH KUMAR

THIMIRI C.THIAGARAJAN 

ASHOKAMAL


Production Controller : -


Production Executive : SASIKUMAR.N


KALYAAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES Executive Producer: M.S. ANAND


Production Co-ordination : E. V. DINESHKUMAR


PRO : SATHISHKUMAR


Digital Partner : Prime Video


Digital Promotions & Creative Promotions: -


Studio Green Executive Producer : A. G. RAJA


Studio Green CEO G. Dhananjeyan


Co-Producer: Neha Gnanavelraja


Produced by : K.E. Gnanavelraja 


Banner : Studio Green


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