Cast: Raghava Lawrence, SJ Suryah, Naveen Chandra, Shine Tom Chacko, and others
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Producers: Kaarthekeyan Santhanam, S Kathiresan
Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan
Karthik Subbaraj presents the much-anticipated sequel to his blockbuster film Jigarthanda with ‘Jigarthanda Double X,’ featuring Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah in lead roles. Let’s delve into how the film fares.
Story:
Allius Caesar (Raghava Lawrence), a criminal aspiring to become a film hero, faces criticism for his dusky complexion. Undeterred, Caesar is determined to make his mark and approaches directors with his story. Ray Dason (SJ Suryah) captures his interest, suggesting that Caesar’s life should be the focal point of a film. The narrative unfolds, revealing how the film transforms Caesar’s life.
Pros:
Karthik Subbaraj effectively taps into Raghava Lawrence’s acting prowess, showcasing a different dimension of his talent.
The second half of the film outshines the first, taking unexpected turns and delivering emotional impact.
SJ Suryah’s exceptional acting adds depth to the movie, particularly in his scenes with Lawrence.
Naveen Chandra delivers a commendable performance.
Well-conceived action scenes and visually striking forest sequences involving elephants.
Cons:
The first hour, dedicated to character introductions and world-building, lacks excitement and suffers from slow pacing.
Scene-to-scene transitions in the first half could have been smoother.
Lengthy runtime with some sequences that could have been trimmed for a more impactful narrative.
Subpar Telugu dubbing, particularly affecting the quality of songs.
Underutilization of certain actors, including Shine Tom Chacko.
Technical Aspects:
Exceptional technical elements, including Santosh Narayanan’s outstanding background score and Thirunavukkarasu’s impressive cinematography.
Strong production values and commendable art direction.
Editing falls short of expectations.
Director’s Approach:
While Karthik Subbaraj chooses an interesting premise, the narration falls short of expectations, with a stark contrast between the two halves.
Solid performances from the cast, but the overall experience is not entirely satisfying.
Verdict:
Jigarthanda Double X manages to engage in parts, with Lawrence’s surprising acting and Suryah’s stellar performance. The second half elevates the experience, but the film is marred by a lengthy runtime, slow pacing, and some editing issues. Overall, it falls short of delivering a completely satisfying action drama.