Thangalaan Review: Vikram-Pa Ranjith's film drowns due to ...

'Thangalaan' Review: Director Pa Ranjith's film starring Chiyaan Vikram, Pa Ranjith and Parvathy Thiruvothu, is a fantasy drama about oppression and land rights. The film is too abstract for its own good.

Chiyaan Vikram and director Pa Ranjith's 'Thangalaan' graced the theatres on August 15.

Director Pa Ranjith is one filmmaker with a powerful voice in Tamil cinema. Whether one agrees or not, his voice is significant and cannot be ignored. When he announced his collaboration with actor Chiyaan Vikram in 2021, it excited many. And the excitement grew multifold over the years and became one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Did 'Thangalaan' manage to fulfil the expectations? Let's find out!

Thangalaan (Chiyaan Vikram), Gangamma (Parvathy Thiruvothu) and their five children live in North Arcot where they rely on agriculture. However, their land is grabbed by the upper-class landlord using deceitful tactics. In the 1800s, Lord Clement, a British General, expressed his desire to trace gold near their village. However, a local myth claims that the sorceress Aarathi (Malavika Mohanan), guards the area. Thangalaan and the rest of the villagers believe in the myth.

Director Pa Ranjith blends magical realism with themes of oppression, untouchability, and inequality. How do Thangalaan and his people fight for their rights and discover the true purpose of life? Is the myth about Aarathi true? These questions are explored over the course of two and a half hours.

Filmmaker Ranjith and his stories of oppression have a special place in history. They are evocative and raise the most important questions about one's rights. 'Thangalaan' is no different. Set in the Kolar Gold Fields, the film is about how common citizens are oppressed by the landlords initially and eventually by the Britishers. Along with the story of oppression, we get a fantasy element, headlined by Aarathi.

Here's the trailer:

The plot of 'Thangalaan' seems interesting on paper. It follows the 'history repeats itself' template i.e. how ancestors fought for liberation and how Thangalaan continues to do so in his time. However, 'Thangalaan' seems to be the weakest work in director Pa Ranjith's filmography. The film's screenplay is too abstract, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. A lot relies on Thangalaan, the mythical story and his hallucinations about Aarathi.

The screenplay is slow and lacks engaging elevation sequences. Despite the brilliant performances from the lead cast, 'Thangalaan' is a disappointing watch. The tedious first half and the convoluted second half make the film a middling affair. Ranjith used sync sound, which is a major drawback, and it is hard to follow their dialect and understand their emotions.

The film's mythical story and political themes are muddled, affecting the overall impact. The visual effects are tacky and fall short given the film's large-scale production. However, composer GV Prakash Kumar’s music and background score do manage to elevate the film to an extent.

That said, there are some brilliant stretches in the film. Be it the first time when Chiyaan Vikram wears a pant-shirt or when the women in the village wear a blouse, these sequences are goosebumps-inducing. However, such moments are sporadic and not consistently present throughout the film.

Actors Chiyaan Vikram, Parvathy, Malavika Mohanan and Daniel Caltagirone do the heavy lifting with their brilliant performances. Vikram as Thangalaan is simply extraordinary, fully embodying his character. Parvathy's Gangamma is feisty, and she once again proves why she is one of the best performers we have. Malavika Mohanan and Daniel Caltagirone also give commendable performances.

'Thangalaan' is a wasted opportunity in terms of storytelling.

2 out of 5 stars for 'Thangalaan'.