This Friday’s Tamil release, Kathi Sandai, is banal, frustrating and gives you the feeling of staring at something that’s very expensive, and really, really worthless.
The film has Vishal sharing screen space with Tamanna, and for comic relief there’s Suri and Vadivelu. I thought Vadivelu would be funny, in what was supposed to be a comeback movie.
But despite his brilliant comic timing and genuinely impressive acting skills, he only added misery to an already miserable second half. In fact, the last time Vadivelu made me laugh was in 2011, in Kaavalan, when he was actually on his way down.
Suri, on the other hand, had the audience in splits in every scene, despite having to manage a highly predictable comedy plot.
Oh, man. This is going to be a short review.
Why Did I Watch ‘Kathi Sandai’?
Because, this is (supposedly) the Christmas release of 2016.
First came demonetisation, which made moviegoers think twice before spending; not on movie tickets, but on parking, which costs the same as a ticket (Rs120), but in cash!
And then Jayalalithaa passed away on a weekend.
And then Cyclone Vardhah chose another weekend to drop trees on roads and an add toalready raging shit-storm of political and financial uncertainty.
And so, while Singam 3 was set to release this weekend, it’s been pushed to next year, possibly February. Kathi Sandai took its place, as a holiday weekend blockbuster.
No Fights in the Plot, No Plot in the Fights
It’s okay for a movie to not have a recognisable plot, as long as it’s entertaining. Kamal Haasan and Prabhu Deva’s Kadhala Kadhala, for example, makes up the story on the go. But Crazy Mohan’s dialogues and some brilliant comic timing by all of the co-stars (Vadivelu included) made it an absolute laugh riot.
The accused (Kathi Sandai), on the other hand, neither has a plot line, nor does it offer a horizon of hope to look forward to. Vishal is probably one of the best action heroes in the country. He’s chiselled, and he can emote mid-fight. He’s also one of the few who can make it seem like he’s not on strings.
And yet, there were barely two fight scenes (one and a half, if I were to nit-pick) and neither of them showed off his strength or skills as a fighter. You can’t even compare this with Sanda Kozhi , where Vishal’s every punch seemed warranted and believable.
‘Kathi Sandai’ (Knife Fight) is a Knife in the Kidneys
I’ve grown weary of movies where the writer and director are the same guy. This has somehow become a trend and has led to a slew of horribly disappointing films with really impressive trailers and teasers.
After one rape joke too many, and Tamanna being treated like a piece of titillating flesh, even low angle, slow-mo shots of the hero walking towards you with glorious purpose in his eyes fail to impress.
The audience walked out silently.
Vishal and Vadivelu started a banter in the post-credits scene, criticising politicians and the government for their corruption and apathy. It was an attempt at political satire.
That’s when I felt the kathi (knife) go in deep. But by then, I was in no mood for a sandai (fight).
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