From a stand-up comedian to a video jockey to one of the top actors of Tamil film industry now, Sivakarthikeyan’s growth has been phenomenal and his career graph has always been in the upward trend. With an impressive track record, Siva has created a brand for himself. Here’s a chance to take his popularity to an even greater height with his seventh film Rajini Murugan (RM). He teams up with the successful Varuthapadatha Vaalibar Sangam (VVS) team Ponram-Imman-Soori for yet another comedy cracker. But is the pop worth the weight?
Like all Siva’s earlier films Rajini Murugan is stocked with copious amount of humor interwoven with adequate load of romance and sentiment. Unlike VVS, RM has a mainstream villain planted to add more excitement to the plate. Though the protracted battle between the antagonist and Siva might work with the masses, it pushes the comedy and romance elements to the backseat.
Rajini Murugan carries a fragile storyline, but that is understandable as films like these are made for the sole purpose of entertaining the crowd. However the team could have worked a little more on tightening the screenplay. There are a few laughs here and there and you also find some intense scenes now and then, but one feels the whole product could have been laced a little more rigid.
The love portions are a little flat at places but it leaves you a little confused whether the female lead is in love with the hero or not. The director could have added a couple of more scenes to describe the emotions of Rajini Murugan’s lady love which could have established their relationship better.
Sivakarthikeyan is someone who clearly knows where his strengths lie and what people expect out of him. He has delivered what was asked of him as a performer though one might find his comedies here weren’t as great as his previous films. But nevertheless he makes people smile throughout the film.
Samuthirakani plays the antagonist here. Unlike his recent films where he was mostly offered with typecast preachy roles, Samuthirakani gets to be the platitudinous rural baddie, whose DNA is mixed with full of vengeance and ego.
Keerthy Suresh looks simple and graceful. She shows some great variety in her expressions. Rajkiran as usual shines; he plays the grandfather of Sivakarthikeyan. He plays an honest and lovable character which carries traditional value and a tint of humor too.
Imman adheres to his template for rural films. Though it sounds redundant, the score sits pretty well with the situation and does lift the proceedings. Ennama Ippadi Panreengale Ma is already a hit and even the other songs work quite well along with the visuals.
Major part of the film has been shot in Madurai and places nearby and mostly in live locations. That added with Ponram’s native dialogues, make people from the suburbs easily relate to the film. The film might trigger some to visit their ancestral place, spend some quality time with their family. But some scenes could make you feel like watching a soap opera.
On the whole Rajini Murugan is a safe bet to bank your money on if you want to watch a film with no expectation but just to spend your two and a half hours laughing.