Madurai to Madras - Masala all the way !. Review on Gilli Movie

Ram Gopal Verma once said ''Interesting movies are all about putting either uncommon characters in common circumstances or common characters in uncommon circumstances.'' True always? No - Definitely not. Welcome to the Dharani School of film making. If director Dharaniwere to be quizzed on the secret of his success, I am sure he would tell you that common characters in common circumstances could do uncommon things and that’s what makes a movie more interesting.

After delivering two ''original'' super hits in Dhil and Dhool, critics and fans were both surprised when Dharani chose to remake the runaway Telegu hit Okkadu in Tamil for his hat trick venture. Even more eyebrows were raised when he preferred ''the down on his luck'' Vijaiover his lucky mascot Vikram. However backed by a 20 crore budget, Dharani has worked his magic once more and succeeded in presenting a 3 hr action packed masala movie which is in every sense paisa vasool.

Let’s talk characterization...

Velu is the ''typical carefree but brave guy'', nonchalant about his studies and passionate about kabaddi. His family consists of the ''typical strict Assistant Commissioner of Police father'', ''the typical affectionate mother'' who spoils her son and the ''typical inquisitive, smart kid sister'' :-) His friends are all the ''typical wastrels and loafers''. 40 something Muthupandi is the ''typical thug'' ruling Madurai, not hesitating a moment eliminating anyone who dares to oppose him. He is backed by the ''typical powerful minister father'' and supported by the ''typical local goons, oops, cops''. 20 something Dhanlakshmi aka Dhanam is the ''typical damsel in distress'' - Muthupandi's flavor of the season (and its been like this for quite some time too) Btw, I meant typical in every line I used.

The Plot or what is there of it...

Muthupandi is obsessed with Dhanalakshmi so much that he does not even mind bumping off her brothers to attain her. Velu, in Madurai for a kabaddi tournament, gets into a scrap with him and earns his wrath. Seeing Dhanalakshmi's plight, Velu resolves to rescue her from his clutches. Both of them escape to Chennai and are hounded by Muthupandi's men. What happens next - will Dhanalakshmi elude Muthupandi? Will Velu who becomes her protector fall for her? Will Velu's kabaddi dreams materialize? To know more, watch Gilli.

Cutting to the chase...

For sheer plot development (or lack of it), Dharani has no parallels save probably John Woo. But where Dharani leaves his impeccable mark is in the screenplay. Logic conveniently takes a backseat as incidents happen one after another so fast that the audience is often left gasping for breath. The pace is electrifying and the tempo never sags inspite of all the commercial elements inserted in the second half. The situations Dharani conjures are clichéd but the treatment is radically different.

For example,

Velu and Dhanam escaping in a Jeep is picturised in one long song - stunningly visualized and effectively shot.

Velu’s diversionary tactics to foil the sniffer dogs from finding out Dhanam's hiding place

The dialogues are rapier sharp and add an extra dimension to the proceedings. The imaginative use of inanimate objects as important characters in the film is praiseworthy - case in point being the lighthouse and the dolls.

The Whos who...

Art Director Maniraj is brilliant - The sets of Velu's house and the locality are amazing. Cameraman Gopinath has intelligently used light arrangements especially in the Kokkara Ko song. Rocky Rajesh's stunts are awesome and they are ably supported by some really slick editing by VT Vijayan. Music by Vidyasagarfollows the same pattern as Dhool - fast paced numbers interspersed with foot tapping gaanas clearly aimed at the front benchers. Re-recording is a little loud at times.

Due credit also has to be given to the acting department. Trisha as Dhanam is an apt choice - she looks beautiful and acquits herself well in the few scenes where she is expected to emote. Vijai as Velu delivers a sparkling performance be it fooling his parents and sister, dancing and fighting with his friends or playing cat and mouse with Muthupandi. His comic timing is definitely improving though I could not quite enjoy it as much as the frontbenchers in my hall did. The real hero of the movie (after all he gets to say “I love you” to the heroine more times) is undoubtedly Prakash Raj as Muthupandi. He is chilling and portrays the eccentric streak in the character with aplomb.

Gilli is very formulaic. Gilli isn't made to appeal to people unwilling to suspend logic. Gilli makes no tall claims to be cerebral fare. But Gilli is pure entertainment. Grab your popcorn before the screen lights up, sit back and enjoy!