Rating: 3/5
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Arvind Swami, Nassar, Bhagyashree, Samuthirakani, Raj Arun, Madhubala, Jisshu Sen Gupta, Thambi Ramaiah, Poorna, Flora Jacob, Bharat Reddy, Vidya Pradeep, Shanmugarajan
Director: AL.Vijay
Music: GV.Pakash Kumar
Cinematography:Vishal Vittal
Editing: Anthony, Ballu Saluja
Producers: Vishnuvardhan Induri,Shailesh R Singh, Brinda Prasad
Banner: Zee Studios,Vibri Motion Pictures, Karma Media and Entertainment, Gothic Entertainment,Sprint Films
Release: September 10,2021
Kangana Ranaut’s Thalaivi hit the screens today in a prestigious manner. Let us see what impact Thalaivi, a biopic on former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa made on viewers.
The ruling party members, insult and disrobe opposition leader Jaya (Kangana Ranaut) and it was silently watched by CM Karuna (Nassar). Jaya wows to enter the assembly only as the Chief Minister. From then it is all about Jaya’s timeline as an actor to politician and then CM and what relation she had with former actor, CM MJR(Arvind Swami) and how it affected her relations with mother Sandhya (Bhagyashree), MJR’s wife Janaki (Madhu Bala), close aide RM. Veerappan (Samuthirakani), Sasikala (Poorna), the then PM Indira Gandhi( Flora Jacob).
Kangana Ranaut came with a power-packed perforamnce. She carried the film on her shoulders. But at times she overdid it and was loud. Her makeup also did not look good. Arvind Swami stole the show as MJR aka MGR. He looked picture perfect and his body language, mannerisms, expressions, and emotions are top class. Others performed their roles accordingly.
AL. Vijay came with a story based on Thalaivi novel by Ajayan Bala. Though he tried his best to elevate the power of Jayalalithaa, he failed to do it completely and concentrated more on MGR, Karuna’s relationship, and MGR’s journey in films and politics. He conveniently left the controversial issues in Jayalalithaa’s life. AL. Vijay failed with his screenplay and direction.
Cinematography is beautiful and extravagant. Music and background music is powerful. Editing left a lot to be desired. Dialogues are good but could have been better. Production values are top class.