An Jo’s brief note on KAITHI

What a movie!! WHAT! A ! MOVIE! Karthi rocks in his avatar as a prisoner out with a motive only to see his daughter who’s in an ashram and to ensure her good life. This is an absolute fantastic twist to the ‘Tamil’ masala template. The movie is so focused, so straight-focused narrated, it’s a joy!

Suffice it to say, it’s a simple, linear story of a prisoner being used to help a bunch of cops retain a criminal gang in the cell, with the dangling bait of a better life for his daughter. It’s just a one-night story, if you will, but boy, oh boy, it is an absolute terrific mix of masala and realism.

The cinematography is brilliant to say the least — mostly shot at night; with bright lights focusing on the characters. There is an absolutely terrific truck chase/action sequence utilizing a lorry chase sequence and it’s a squash-your-ass-moons on the seat. It’s a 10 minute stretch and exquisitely shot. Terrific usage of the dark night and the colors.

Never been a fan of karthi in his masala avatar — I meant the ‘Tamil/South Indian’ masala avatar, but here, he superbly underplays his role: So much so that when he jumps out of the truck with dry leaves flying, you cannot help but whistle..

A must, MUST-WATCH!! And that’s me, a ‘North-Indian’ talking on the basis of watched this movie today in the theater with third-class English sub-titles…