Thangalaan Review: Another Milestone in Vikram’s Career

Cast: Vikram, Malavika Mohanan, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Pasupathy, Daniel Caltagirone, and others.

Director: Pa. Ranjith

Music: GV Prakash Kumar

Editing: Selva R.K.

Cinematography: A. Kishore Kumar

Producers: K.E. Gnanavel Raja, Pa. Ranjith, Jyoti Desh Pandey

Release Date: 15-08-2024

Having portrayed distinctive characters in films like ‘Aparichitudu‘ and ‘I‘, actor Vikram, who is also popular in Telugu cinema, has returned with another exciting movie, ‘Thangalaan‘. In this film, Vikram appears as a tribal man, and his transformation for the role has significantly heightened expectations among the audience. The trailer and teaser for the movie have doubled these expectations. Released worldwide on August 15, how did ‘Thangalaan’ fare? Has Vikram mesmerized once again with his performance? What was the cinematic experience like for the audience? Let’s explore in this review.

What’s the Story?

Set during British rule in the 1850s, the story unfolds in a village called Veppur. Thangalaan (Vikram), living with his family, finds himself compelled to join a gold hunt with an Englishman named Clement due to unforeseen circumstances. This journey brings them face to face with bizarre experiences. Thangalaan is haunted by dreams where Aarathi (Malavika Mohanan), a tribal sorceress, uses her supernatural powers to protect the gold. But does she really safeguard the gold? What challenges do Thangalaan and his team face from her? What does Thangalaan learn on this journey? Did he ultimately discover the gold or not? That is the story.

How Did They Perform?

Vikram, as Thangalaan, was outstanding and made the character unforgettable. His portrayal as a tribal person, with the mannerisms and expressions, captivates everyone. This can be marked as another milestone in Vikram’s career. Parvathy Thiruvothu, playing Thangalaan’s wife, was adequate in her role. Malavika Mohanan as Aarathi, the tribal leader, delivered the best performance of her career. Her looks and acting scared the audience and stood next to Vikram in terms of impact. Their action scenes together are particularly thrilling. Other actors performed well within their roles.

How’s the Direction?

The film ‘Thangalaan’, primarily revolving around a gold hunt, is subtly portrayed by director Pa. Ranjith was a struggle of an oppressed class during the British era, highlighting racial discrimination. The world and characters created by the director transport the audience to a new realm. The people’s attire and societal depiction are immersive. The journey of Thangalaan with the British in search of gold, and the challenges they face en route, build suspense. The scenes before the interval raise expectations for the second half, which, however, feels a bit detached as the story progresses. The pre-climax fight between the British, Thangalaan, and the tribal community leads to confusion, blurring the line between Thangalaan’s dreams and reality. Yet, the director delivers a satisfying conclusion in the climax by revealing another dimension of Thangalaan’s character.

Technically Speaking

Technically, the film is robust in many aspects. The costumes, makeup, and art departments have outdone themselves for this movie. The music by GV Prakash Kumar also complements the narrative well. The production values are high.

Plus Points:

– Story and narration

– Performances by Vikram and Malavika

– Fantasy elements

Minus Points:

– Pacing in the second half

– Slow narration

Telugu.YouSay.tv Rating: 3/5