Movie Review 'Thaarai Thappattai': Varalaxmi who is full of life steals the show

Director: Bala

Cast: Sasikumar, Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar, RK Suresh, GM Kumar

Director Bala is at it again! His penchant for depicting dark side of human lives is a known secret. His 7^th directorial venture 'Thaarai Thappattai' in his career spanning 16 years is no different. Apparently, it is maestro Ilayarja’s milestone 1000^th flick as a composer. The story partially deals with the plight of our folk musicians and dancers who are struggling to keep their art thriving and are forced to perform to sexually explicit songs and dance movements and filmy numbers. The film comes with a truly deserving ‘A’ rating with its crass dialogues and all the violence in the second half.

Typical of his eccentric characters, which react in a quirky fashion when faced with intense situations, we are introduced to Pulavar Sami (GM Kumar, a regular in Bala’s films), a failed folk musician from Tanjore who lives only on his past laurels and a alcohol addict, his only son Sannasi (Sasikumar) who helms the 'Thaarai Thappatai' music and dancers troupe, Sooravali (Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar), the chief dancer and main draw in the team who is in madly love with her ‘mama’ Sannasi.  They get a chance to perform at the Andaman Islands. On their arrival they realize that the organizers are more interested in the girls than in the art form.

With great struggle, they return to their native after being humiliated. Now enters Karuppaiah (RK Suresh) who claims that he is in a government job and an ardent fan of Sooravali and wants to marry her. Impressed by his behavior, Sannasi decides to sacrifice his love and manages to convince Soorvali to agree for her marriage with Karuppaih so that she will have a secured life. But fate has other things in store….

Extracting the best from his cast, the way he has conceived is Bala’s forte. In that sense, Varalaxmi who is full of life steals the show. Her effortless uninhibited performance and highly energetic dance for Ilayaraja’s 'Thaarai Thappattai' music is a treat to watch.  Undoubtedly an award winning lifetime performance from Varu.  Sasikumar should be lauded for allowing the female lead to take the center stage. He has put in a lot of effort and hard work, which is apparent on the screen. He does a neat job by underplaying his character without going overboard. GM Kumar as usual delivers what’s expected out of him. RK Suresh, the debut villain does justice to his role. Ilayaraja’s music is topnotch and is the backbone of the film. His background score elevates several scenes and he has once again proved that he is the king of re-recording.  Chezian’s cinematography is adequate. The first half moves at rapid speed with interesting elements, but post interval the screenplay meanders aimlessly and Varu’s character around which the story was revolving till then, totally vanishes from the scene. Morbidity sets in with the liberal dose of violence, blood and gore in long drawn climax and again which is a rehash of his earlier climaxes.  A typical Bala film which may appeal to his hardcore fans.