Pagadi Aattam movie review: A one time watch for Rahman's cop act

Director: Ram K Chandran

Cast: Rahman, Gauri Nanda, Surendar, Monica

Post the stupendous success of actor Rahman’s Dhruvangal 16, yet another movie Pagadi Aattam, where he once again plays a cop has been released.

The movie opens with Suriya (Surendar), who gets kidnapped and is locked inside a coffin like box. There’s a cell phone inside and a man regularly calls him reminding him of his misdeeds in the past – particularly of his womanizing habit. Each time a call arrives the story of Suriya who is a rich and spoilt brat son of bigwigs (Nizhalgal Ravi and Sudha) befriending a girl and his Romeo act opens up.

While eliminating most of them who came willingly to spend time with him, Suriya guesses that it should be someone related to Kausalya (debutant Monica). She is a studious girl from a poor background and first generation graduate from her community and with whom he gets physical and cheated. He also films it on his mobile.

Kausalya’s elder sister (Gauri Nanda) - an auto driver and breadwinner of the family, has high expectations of her. All hell breaks loose for her when Kausalya commits suicide.

Cut to present, Suriya’s parents approach police to find out their kidnapped son. That’s when DCP (Rahman) steps in. Whether he rescues Suriya or not forms the rest with the film ending with a fitting climax.

Surendar fits the role of a playboy and has done a fair job. Monica as the timid girl is quite expressive and does her part with conviction. Gauri Nanda is equally impressive with her subtle yet arresting act. The ever-dependable Rahman shines once again. Rajashree also does a neat work. The first half moves at a slow pace with Surendar’s antics. His innumerous girlfriends become bit tedious.

Post interval it picks up momentum after the entry of Rahman. Karthik Raja using his dad Ilayaraja’s timeless classic ‘Ilamai Enum Poongattru’ rendered by SPB at the right context creates a huge impact. His music and Krishnaswamy’s cinematography go well with the mood of the film.

Director Ram K Chandran has conveyed a larger message that boys who spoil young girls in the name of love to satiate their physical needs should be punished. He has not totally blamed the boys, but also points out how girls of these days go immoral for the sake of having a good lifestyle. A movie which is watchable once!