Director Durai Senthilkumar’s Kodi is Dhanush’s second release in 2016 just after his Thodari last month.  There are a few firsts to this film like Dhanush doing dual roles and his on-screen pairing with Trisha.

In Kodi, Dhanush plays an aspiring politician, a good one at that, which would kind of appear like a rare occurrence in the field. When someone, especially a politician wants to be a do-gooder, what will happen? Dhanush faces the consequences and Durai weaves his story around this knot with Trisha and others playing the integral pivots.
 

For Dhanush, it is not a new ground in terms of deliverance and the National Award winner just sashays through his role(s). He also checks-in the box for demarcation between the two roles, with vigor. As Anbu and Kodi, the actor is perfect. Trisha gets a different kind of part to play which is really meaty and one feels she could have utilized this chance in a better way. Her Rudhra is very powerful but there is some kind of link missing between the powerful dialogues mouthed by the dubbing artist and her stoic expressions. 

There is also Anupama Parameswaran who is making her debut in Kodi and the cherubic girl as the egg vendor Malathy is apt. Her scenes with Dhanush in the first half are quite lively.
 

Santhosh Narayanan scores for the first time for Dhanush and his Ei Suzhali has an instant likeability about it. Venkatesh’s lens and Prakash Mabbu’s cuts should have been better.

What works for the film are its performance of Dhanush and most of the cast members. The first half is a little slow and the engagement factor is inconsistent there. But the director makes for this in the second half where the film takes on an important factor. There is a social issue which acts as the fulcrum for things to proceed in the second half. The political games and its wild ways are narrated well. Durai should also be lauded for not bowing down to commercial compromises to tell his story and one can perceive his sincerity in this endeavor.

Toting it up, Kodi works for its earnest writing, treatment and performances and gives the audience a decent watching experience.