Movie Review : Lenin Pandiyan
Dorairaj (Gangai Amaran) and his wife ( Roja) are a rural childless aged couple who get caught up in the cross hairs of a sand mafia gang, due to a series of circmstances. To give them security from the deadly gang, the judge (George Maryan) sends them a constable Maaravarman Pandiyan ( Dharshaan Ganesan) for their protection.
As the troubles in their lives keep piling up due to corrupt cops and the mafia gang out to get rid of them, Pandiyan, finds it a challenge to keep up with it all. Things get out of hand further when his wife Priya ( Shrita Rao) needs a crucial surgery and he has no funds.
Do the corrupt sand mafia manage to bribe Pandiyan or does he stay true to his duty? What happens to Dorairaj and his wife? Who wins on this deadly battle against corruption?
The screenplay takes time to build up the suspense and present each of the various characters, which helps later as the plot unfolds.
The technical team of music, camera, editing and production design have delivered superbly, each department elevating the film.
The film has a large ensemble cast and each supporting and lead actor has done a brilliant job, adding to the overall experience.
Gangai Amaran as the old man in the cross hairs of the mafia and cops is simply superb, delivering not just emotional highs but also scoring on the humor, touching romance scenes with his wife, highlighting their bond, and in the scenes showing the bonding with the young cop, are all top notch.
Roja is a wonderful choice as the middle aged wife who worships her husband and after Anbe Diana, the actor delivers yet another winning performance. Together, the duo are the pivot on which the film rests and their credible performances showing love, innocence and faith in goodness, are the highlight of the film.
Dhaarshan, grandson of nadigar thilagam Sivaju Ganesan, debuts with an ace performance, totally nailing his role, with the nuanced expressions, a realistic act conveying his controlled frustrations, love for his wife, eagerness to excel and yet a practical outlook on his life and career. Near the climax, the actor aces the crucial emotional scenes showing a crucial decision he has to make on both personal and professional fronts. A solid debut indeed.
Shrita Rao as the stron , loving wife, shines in her role with an impressive performance, strong yet controlled and never over the top.
George Maryan as the judge scores big time in a key role with crucial dialogues that are heart- touching and convey the key social message of the film. His scenes with Sunil Reddy and on the court are one of the highlights of the film.
Bose Venkat at the corrupt cop aces his role and his scenes with George Maryan are to watch out for. Archana Ravichandran in a key appearance as the VAO makes a mark.
The violence scenes are a tad gory and many being a lump in the throat. The film seems to slow down in places but picks up steam soon enough. The climax may not give the emotional high one has been waiting for as an audience.
Overall, an emotional human drama with a key social message, conveyed with realistic performances, superb casting and visuals and many heart- touching moments, by young debut director DD Balachandran.
Rating 3.5/5
Lenin Pandiyan Cast & Crew Details:
Cast: Gangai Amaran, Roja, Dharsan Ganeshan, Shrrita rao, George Maryan , Aadukalam Naren, Yugendran, Bose venkat , Archana Ravichandran
Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films - TG Thyagarajan Presents
Producers: Sendhil Thyagarajan & Arjun Thyagarajan
Co-Produced by G. Saravanan & Sai Siddharth
Written & Directed by: DD.Balachandran
Music: Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja
Crew:
Director of Photography : A.M.Edwin Sakay
Art Director: Athuuri Jeykumaar
Editor :Nagooran Ramachandran
Stunt Master: Kalaimamani Thalapathi Dhinesh
Choreography: Viji Sathish
Lyrics: Karthik Netha , Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja
Costume: Perumal Selvam
Makeup: R.Mani Seeralan
Audiography & Sound Design: Lakshminarayan A.S.DF TEC.S DESIGN
VFX: Harihara sudhan
DI: GETIN DREAM STUDIOS, A.M.Edwin Sakay
Stills: Stills Vijay
Publicity Designer: Tuney Jhon - 24 AM
Sathya Jyothi Films Production Controller: SP Palaniaapan
Production Executives: P. Somasundaram, M.V.Ramesh
Sathya Jyothi Films Team: Pragadeesh Gunasekaran, Vijeyraj Sukumaran, Mageshwaran J, Subash Bhagavathiyappan
PRO: Sathish (AIM)
Subtitles: Rekhs
