Movie review 'Kaaviya Thalaivan': An excellent movie straight from Balan’s heart
When fantasized notions take precedence over reality, the future may not be pretty. Kaaviya Thalaivan chronicles the lives of two dramatic troupes, led by two heavy headed men, Siddharth and Prithviraj. Certain events lead them to a path of forging their own manacles of their mind, thus giving rise to conflicts and downfalls.
The story is set in the pre-independence era and features the old Tamil drama schools. Sivadas Swamigal (Nasser) runs a drama school, and two of his pupils are Kaliappa Bhagavathar (Siddharth) and Gomathy Naygam (Prithiviraj). In the meantime, Ganakokilam Vadivambal (Vedhika) joins their troupe. For Gomathy, it is love at first sight, but Vadivambal falls for Kali. On the other hand, Kali is in love with Rangamma (Anaika Soti).
When love, friendship, and romance turns into a story of misapprehension and misrepresentation, jealousy and hatred broods. Just as the bloodiest wars are often civil wars, the most intense conflicts are those that are internal. And here you have a story where reason and emotion constantly fight it out, and the fate of these actors may depend upon which one of these hold sway.
Vasantabalan’s casting and characterization for this movie is high in quality. Some aspects of the script could have had a makeover, but these short coming are adequately made up by Siddharth's excellent performance. Similarly, Prithiviraj as the villain balances things out really well. Vedhika shines in a substantial role. Ace writer Jeyamohan has penned powerful dialogues for most part of it.
Other aspects of the movie were adequate at worst, and unnoticeable (in a good way) at best. Art direction by Santhanam captures the atmosphere quite elegantly. This is backed up brilliantly by Nirav Shah's camera. Make up by Pattanam Rasheed, costumes by Perumal Selvam and Niranjani Agathiyan warrant mention. With them and A.R. Rahman in the music leading the back front, things can hardly go wrong with the technicalities.
This is an excellent movie straight from Balan’s heart although conflict may be painful; the painless solution doesn't exist in most cases. All said and done, the movie is worth a watch.
