Movie Review : Raghu Thatha
Kayalvuzhi ( Keerthi Suresh) is an author who writes under a pseudonym to hide her female identity. She works in a bank in her village, and is an activist, who amongst other issues, protests against Hindi imposition.
However, she is under pressure from her family and her loving thatha Raghothaman (MS Bhaskar) to get married. Thus, she gets engaged to Tamil Selvan ( Ravindra Vijay) who is a progressive minded individual and supports her causes.
But one day, Kayal's life turns upside down when she uncovers a secret about her fiancé.
What is the problem she faces? Does she find a solution?
Set in the 60's in the background of the anti Hindi movement, the film takes on the theme but at the same time, weaves in a personal angle which takes the story forward in an interesting manner, while at the same time, dealing with other issues relating to female emancipation and freedom of choice.
The film touches on many topics and issues but does not explore them in depth, taking instead, a lighthearted approach in its narration, thus turning into more of a comedy instead of human drama or political satire.
The film picks up pace in the second half with enough thrills and suspenseful moments, while using wit and farce to create laugh-out-loud moments.
Kudos to the art and costume departments for recreating the simple 60's life and to the director for his unhurried pace that manages to bring out the quaintness of that time period on screen.
The superb performances by every character take the film to the next level. Keerthy Suresh lives her role and right from her attire and look to her mannerisms and dialogues, she brings Kayal to life most effectively. She carries the film effortlessly on her shoulders in yet another impressive performance. Her scenes with the talented trio Devadharsini Ismath Babu and Ravindra Vijay are delightful viewing.
Ravindra Vijay delivers a finely nuanced performance that is a delight to watch and one understands the superb choice the director has made in casting him, as the story progresses and masks come peeling off.
Sean Roldan's bgm and songs are aptly suited for the film.
On the flip side, the film chooses to glide over several issues despite the heroine being an activist. One can't help feel at times that the film could have been so much more than just a light hearted family entertainer.
Overall, a clean family entertainer, that takes you back in time, with a superb cast and fine perfoemances.
Rating: 3.25 / 5
Raghu Thatha | *ரகு தாத்தா* Cast and Crew
ஹோம்பாலே பிலிம்ஸ் | Homabale Films | Vijay Kiragandur | விஜய் கிரகந்தூர்
Keerthy Suresh - Kayalvizhi Pandian
கீர்த்தி சுரேஷ் - கயல்விழி பாண்டியன்
M.S Bhaskar - Raghothaman
எம்.எஸ்.பாஸ்கர் - ரகோத்தமன்
Devadarshini - Alamelu
தேவதர்ஷினி - அலமேலு
Ravindra Vijay - Tamil Selvan
ரவீந்திர விஜய் - தமிழ் செல்வன்
Anandsami - Ranganathan
ஆனந்தசாமி - ரங்கநாதன்
*Crew*
தயாரிப்பு: விஜய் கிரகந்தூர்
எழுதி இயக்கியவர்: சுமன் குமார்
கிரியேட்டிவ் தயாரிப்பாளர்: விஜய் சுப்ரமணியம்
இசையமைப்பாளர்: ஷான் ரோல்டன்
நிர்வாக தயாரிப்பாளர்: ரியா கொங்கரா
இணை இயக்குனர் - துர்கேஷ் பிரதாப் சிங்
ஒளிப்பதிவு இயக்குனர்: யாமினி யக்ஞமூர்த்தி
படத்தொகுப்பு : டி.எஸ். சுரேஷ்
தயாரிப்பு வடிவமைப்பாளர்: ராம்சரந்தேஜ் லபானி
விளம்பர எடிட்டர்: ஸ்னீக் பீக்
ஆடியோகிராஃபர்கள்: ஆனந்த் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, எஸ். சிவகுமார் (ஏஎம் ஸ்டுடியோஸ்)
ஆடை வடிவமைப்பாளர்: பூர்ணிமா
கீர்த்தியின் ஆடை வடிவமைப்பாளர்: ஸ்ருதி மஞ்சரி
வசனம்: மனோஜ் குமார் கலைவாணன்
போஸ்ட் புரொடக்ஷன் சூப்பர்வைசர்: ஓ.கே. விஜய்
விளம்பர வடிவமைப்பாளர்: ஜெயன்
ஸ்டில் போட்டோகிராபர் - விஷ்ணு எஸ் ராஜன்
Heroin: Keerthy Suresh
Produced by: Vijay Kiragandur
Written & Directed by: Suman Kumar
Creative Producer: Vijay Subramaniam
Music Director: Sean Roldan
Executive Producer: Rhea Kongara
Associate Director & Post Head: Durgesh Pratap Singh
Director of Photography: Yamini Yagnamurthy
Editor: T.S. Suresh
Production Designer: Ramcharantej Labani
Promo Editor: Sneak Peek
Audiographers: Anand Krishnamoorthi, S. Sivakumar (AM Studios)
Costume Designer: Poornima
Keerthy's Costume Designer: Shruthi Manjari
Dialogues: Manoj Kumar Kalaivanan
Post Production Supervisor: O.K. Vijay
Publicity Designer: Jayan
Still Photographer - Vishnu S Rajan
Digital Media Partner: Silly Monks
