#kaatruveliyidai #review
Kaatru Veliyidai- Poetic title but unpoetic execution –
By Manju
There is always huge expectation when it comes to Mani sir movies. The maestro of romance has proved time and time again that no one can illustrate the depth of love and the compassion the way he does. Straight away it touches your heart and makes you want more. Kaatru Veliyidai….With the ARR/Vairamuthu combination audiences held their breath. When the songs got released the expectations only went higher. So what is Kaatru Veliyidai trying to convey? In his previous outing he explored live-in relationships, and with this movie he has taken it to the next level. Child-birth outside of marriage.
The story is set during the Kargil war of 1999 where doctor Leela(Aditi Rao Hydari) falls in love with a fighter pilot named Varun(Karthi).Leela’s brother was Varun’s friend who has been killed while he was on assignment. Since he used to write to her about Varun she has already developed a crush on him. The romance starts right away with the usual Manirathnam dialogues but Varun’s irrational attitude keeps pushing Leela away from the relationship. When Leela gets pregnant, due the difference of opinion on whether to keep the baby or not they get separated. The twist in the tale arises when Karthi gets captured and jailed in Pakistan. The rest of the story is about how Karthi frees himself from Pakistan and wins his love all over again.
Karthi as Pilot Varun – the full fledged romantic hero is not convincing at all. His characterization as a self centred person wasn’t the best. As a lead the audience should feel for the character despite if the person is good or bad. That connection is totally missing with Varun’s character. Karthi looked so uncomfortable as a romantic hero and he struggles to emote. The only saving grace (from Karthis point of view) was his superb performance in the climax. He was so natural in that scene.
In contradiction to that it was a dream debut for Aditi Rao Hydari. She looks fresh and pretty and got into the character so well and has given a very good performance, as a young woman who was madly in love with the guy, who keeps on forgiving him for mistreating her and insulting her, and at the same time as someone with the courage to walk away saying” I am a doctor and I know how to look after my baby” . Leela’s character is the only strength of the movie.
Visually, Kaatru Veliyidai: is stunning each frame is like a painting . Kudos to the cinematography. It was such a shame that the much awaited Nallai Allai song wasn’t executed well enough. What a brilliant composition by ARR.
However, the screenplay is not gripping enough to take the story forward. Varun escaping from the Pakistan prison wasn’t convincing enough. The slow pace and the slack moments will make the audience a little restless. As a die hard Mani sir fan it hurts to say this but sadly Kaatru Veliyidai didn’t work for me. Sometimes you don’t have to think out of the box just think from your heart. Better-luck next time Mani sir.
TidzNBitz 