R ARIVANANTHAM
Arulnithi dazzled in ‘Kazhuvethi Moorkkan’, a rural social drama, with his acting prowess as a village ruffian. He gets a thunderous intro, a couple of effective punchlines, a childhood love angle and solid emotional stretches.
The lead characters – Moorkkan and Bhoomi – hail from different castes but are the best of friends. Bhoomi is well-educated and tries to eradicate caste politics in his village, Therkupati, by educating people (literally and figuratively) about it. Meanwhile, their old schoolmate Kavitha returns to their village and love blossoms between Moorkkan and her.
- This film revolves around caste politics and is helmed by director Sy Gowtham Raj
- The film delivers a social message without being preachy
Friend in need is friend indeed holds good as Moorkkan stands up for issues that Bhoomi faces and helps him every step of the way. Unfortunately, it is politics that plays spoilsport in their friendship. A political party tries to divide the village based on caste politics for the upcoming elections, which Bhoomi objects to. Money and power come into play as the party uses Moorkkan as a pawn in this political game and his family is involved. He then makes a big mistake by committing a crime. Does he surrender and go to jail? Or does he get his revenge? And did he really commit this crime?
Trailer:
Take the scene where Santhosh Prathap’s Bhoominathan (Moorkkan’s best friend from an oppressed caste) points out that he can’t even think of having a handlebar moustache like Moorkkan because of the social construct, Moorkan without second thought replies, “Idhu verum masuru dhaan da, en paati kaaga vechi iruken. Unaku venam na sollu ipove eduthudren.” If we notice keener, we realise that Moorkkan never twirls his moustache and boasts about his valour like the ‘upper caste messiah for social justice’ films.
Director Sy Gowtham Raj has written and directed ‘Kazhuvethi Moorkkan’. The caste politics angle is not new, but here the director doesn’t preach or take sides and chooses to portray why things happen the way they do. He keeps the film quite pacy, using songs to take the film forward. The revenge climax is predictable but apt for the film.
Arulnithi shines as Moorkkan and it is perhaps one of the best characters he has played on screen in his career. Moorkkan gives him the scope to perform and essay a range of emotions and he has delivered. A good support to him is Santhosh Pratap, who is quite natural as Bhoomi. Dushara Vijayan is a talented actor, and she proves herself yet again here. Munishkanth and Chayadevi also stand out.
The cinematography by Sridhar must be mentioned as well. The visuals add a lot to this village drama. D Imman’s music and songs elevate the film too.
Cast
Arulnithi, Santhosh Prathap, Dushara Vijayan, Rajasimman, Yaar Kannan
Director: Sy Gowthama Raj
