Movie review Iraivi: Karthik Subbaraj's film is a hard hitting one!

Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, SJ Suryah, Anjali, Kamalinee, Pooja Devariya

Karthik Subburaj may be just two films old. But his quirky themes combined with compelling story telling ways has put him in high esteem in Kollywood. His recent offering Iraivi is no exception! The movie has a feminist theme, which is depicted in a hard-hitting manner and the bold women characters have semblance to one we used to see in K. Balachander’s films.

Arul (SJ Suryah) once a known filmmaker and now struggles to get his movie released as his producer refuses to do. Frustrated with life he drowns himself in alcohol. And his wife Yazhini (Kamlinee Mukherji), a liberated woman wants a divorce. Arul’s younger brother Jagan (Bobby Simha) is a student who has penchant for antique idols and more so of goddesses (Iravi). Michael (Vijay Sethupathi) works in their sculpture shop and he is treated like their brother.  Despite in a relationship with Malar (Pooja Devaria) Michael ties the knot with Ponni (Anjali) against his wishes. He is insensitive towards his wife, who dreams to have a blissful life. A stage comes when all the three men join hands in a crime and what follows next is a series of unexpected twists and turns. 

There are umpteen numbers of characters, but each one has a role to play in the intriguing plot. Karthik has extracted the best from the entire cast. It is SJ Suryah who steals the show with his lifetime performance. Anjali proves her mettle in a complex role. Vijay Sethupathi has in fact underplayed his character. Bobby, Pooja in a bold role, Kamalinee are adequate.

On the technical front Santhosh Narayanan songs are passable, while the BGM is good. Sivakumar Vijayan’s cinematography, Vivek Harshan’s editing and Vijay Murugan’s art work largely help the director to achieve his vision.

Despite some hiccups like every alternate scene depicts characters drinking and smoking and the raw violence soaked in blood and gore and the lack of fun elements, the film is an honest attempt from Karthik Subburaj and may go well with multiples audiences.