When you step into a theatre to watch a movie directed by someone who is known for works like Settai, Oru Oorla Rendu Raja and Vanthaan Vendraan, you expect the film to have few double meaning dialogues and toilet comedies that cater to a particular section of the audience alone. But unlike his previous flicks, Kannan, has tried his hands on something that is more socially relevant and filled with adequate entertainment factors that have the potential to satisfy the masses to a modest level.
The core theme of Ivan Thanthiran is about how a corrupt politician misuses his power and makes student’s education expensive for his personal gain. And how a brainy young man gets linked with this issue and what he does to tackle the politician forms the crux. It is never easy for a common man to bring down a powerful politician. That knot about how an ordinary man going to handle a dominant evil force is what creates the excitement level in Ivan Thanthiran.
One feels, the director held that excitement factor to a larger part of the first half and not so much in the 2nd. It starts as an intense action thriller with comedy peppered on it. That is how the 1st half travels but the problem starts when the focus shifts towards romance. You only have one introduction song and no other disturbing songs till the interval. Just when you tend to think that the makers have gone bold enough to concentrate only on the core topic, avoid unwanted songs and love scenes, you are offered the expected.
Even some of the best love sequences don’t work well when the script does not require them. Likewise, the love track here looked a little force fitted just to bring in a little bit of oomph factor to the floor. That portion reduces the intensity of the storyline. There is a scene where the heroine rejects hero's love proposal and goes to an interview her response in that scene could annoy many. Though some of the portions were cleverly conceived, few over dramatic scenes like these nullify the equation.
RJ Balaji’s comedies - some of them make sense while some didn’t but, who cares? As long as it is timely and works well, it is fine. He is probably the biggest asset of all. Whenever he has been given an opportunity to talk, he scores. Another action hero role for Gautham Karthik after Rangoon and he has given what is expected from him. He does well with action scenes and sort of underplays during serious moments which suits the role. Shraddha Srinath gets a meaty role but probably her character did not have enough detailing as one would have liked.
The technical department gives a functional output, nothing to complain, nothing great either. There are 2 songs scored by Thaman, one of them works, but its placement is a concern.