Sandakozhi 2 movie review: Vishal is in terrific form in this masala commercial film

Director: Lingusamy

Cast: Vishal, Rajkiran, Keerthy Suresh, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Sandakozhi was a blockbuster and trendsetter film directed by Lingusamy and was Vishal’s second movie in a lead role. Now after 13 years, the duo team up for its sequel to create the same magic and it is Vishal’s milestone 25th movie. Did they succeed? Read on.

Durai (Raj Kiran) addressed as Ayya commands huge respect in and around seven villages in Theni district. The villagers decide to celebrate their family deity Thiruvizha (festival) after Ayya manages to lift the court ban. The celebration in the village has not taken place for seven years after Pechi’s (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar) husband (Viswanath) was killed in the same festival. Pechi is out to avenge her husband’s death and would not allow them to conduct the festival in peace until she finishes the entire clan of the man who killed her husband. She almost accomplishes, except for the last guy Anbu (Johny Hari) who is now in the custody of Ayya. Now enters Ayya’s son Balu (Vishal) who has been abroad this entire long to celebrate the festivity. He falls for the charm of Sembaruthi (Keerthy Suresh), daughter of a local schoolteacher.

Though Ayya wants to keep away his son from these ugly aruva fights and revenge saga, Balu is shrewd enough to understand the situation. However, his turn comes when Ayya gets gravely injured while trying to save Anbu from Pechi’s bloodthirsty men. Now, the onus falls on Balu to keep up the promise of his dad to rescue Anbu and also to conduct the festival in a peaceful manner. Will he succeed in his endeavor forms the reminder of this mass masala entertainer.

Vishal is in terrific form and he looks the same as he was thirteen years ago in the first part with his energy labels intact. The actor shines every bit in mass action blocks and with his macho personality he is convincing, especially the first fight sequence in the crowded thiruvizha where he saves Anbu is impressive. Rajkiran with his imposing disposition as usual delivers his best. Keerthy Suresh who replaces Meera Jasmine who played in the first part looks fresh and appeals with her vivacious performance, although in a typecast heroine role. Despite Varalaxmi’s Pechi character being dimensional, she manages to capture our attention by rising above the script, especially in the climax. Kanja Karuppu, Munishkanth, Harish Peradi and Ajay among a host of artistes are adequate. The first half moves at a rapid pace with the effective father–son bonding scenes and romance portions being quite enjoyable. The same cannot be said post intermission. The screenplay somewhat meanders with no solid plot which eventually slackens the pace and tension. The climax of the original was one of the high point, where as SK2’s end lacks the punch.

Technically, Sakthi’s vibrant frames bring out the festive mood perfectly and Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score sync well with the festive theme and elevates the tension in mass action sequences. Kambatthu Ponnu and Sengarattan Paaraiyula numbers are already hits. Stunt masters Anbarivu and Anal Arasu should be commended for choreographing few interesting action scenes. The film also has rich production values. On the whole, the masala commercial film is watchable once!