Review: TN 2026 (Thanga Natchathiram)

Film: TN 2026 (Thanga Natchaththiram)
Cast: Natty Natraj, Thambi Ramaiah, M. S. Bhaskar, Ilavarasu, Shrrita Rao, Chandini Tamilarasan, Yashika Anand and Redin Kingsley among others
Producer: Kannan Ravi
Director: Umapathy S. Ramaiah
Music Director: Darbuka Siva
Director of Photography: P. G. Muthiah
Editor: Aral R Thangam
Audiography: Tapas Nayak
Art Director: N. K. Rahul
Rating: 3 stars

First things first. Full marks to young actor-turned-director Umapathy S Ramaiah and his dad, the versatile National Award winning actor Thambi Ramaiah, for even attempting to make a political satire in this day and age.

It has been quite some time since somebody’s mustered the guts to make a film of this sort in Tamil cinema after the demise of the master of political satires, Manivannan.

Synopsis…
The story revolves around a young north Indian person Gulkand Kumar (Played by Natty) who rises from selling Gulkand in a roadside shop to becoming an actor and eventually a hero. As luck would have it, his film is to the liking of a powerful landlord from Coimbatore (Thambi Ramaiah), who eventually takes it upon himself to make Gulkand into a powerful superstar. At one point, when Gulkand does become a Superstar, the landlord and his mates make Gulkand believe that his popularity has risen to such heights that he can now be the next Chief Minister. What happens then is what the story is all about…

Analysis…
To his credit, young director Umapathy seems to have made a film that is reasonably engaging for the most part. There are three factors that work in favour of his film.

The first is the dialogues of the film that have been penned by Thambi Ramaiah. Dialogues in several places are sharp, witty and to the point. So, what the film lacks in terms of star power, it makes up for with its wit and humour.

The next big factor that works in the favour of the film is its casting. Natraj Subramani or Natty as he is better known, plays the role of Gulkand Kumar with a flourish. He is so good in the role that you feel no one else would have been a finer fit for the role. Casting Thambi Ramaiah as the landlord with a 1000 acre property and Redin Kingsley as a fan turned politician also deserve applause. By and large, all the actors picked for their roles literally look and live their parts.

The third big factor that works in favour of the film is its outstanding music by Darbuka Siva. Be it the background score or the songs in the film, Darbuka Siva delivers some refreshing music. Needless to say, it adds immense value to the film.

Although it is not openly stated, the film does take potshots at several actors ranging from Vijay to Rajinikanth, all of olwhom have wanted to enter the world of politics. However, it does not demean any star and only looks to showcase the humourous side of developments.

It is not that the film does not have its share of problems. The film’s story, although entertaining, isn’t strong enough to draw you so much into itself that it makes you feel like one with the protagonist. In other words, you aren’t so invested in the hero or his life and only tend to look at the developments from the view point of a bystander or an outsider.

Performances…
The film has good performances coming in from all its important cast members. Be it from Natty, who plays the lead role of Gulkand Kumar, to his mentor turned sidekick (played by Thambi Ramaiah) to Chandini Tamilarasan, who plays the role of an actress who is in a secret relationship with the hero, everbody delivers.

Natty, in particular, is on fire. In fact, he seems to have relished playing the role of the lead character of Gulkand Kumar. Redin Kingsly as a young fan who later on enters politics is perfect. Ilavarasu, Thambi Ramaiah and M S Baskar deliver what is expected of them comfortably.

Verdict:
TN 2026 Thanga Natchathriram is a neat, engaging political satire that, for the most part, is entertaining.