Review: Alangu

Movie – Alangu
Written and Directed By: S.P.Shakthivel
Cast : Gunanidhi, Chemban Vinod, Kaali Venkat, Sarath Appani, Sreerekhaa, Kotravai, Regin Rose, Shanmugam Muthusamy, Master Ajay, Idhayakumar &Others
Produced by : D. Sabareesh, Sangamithra Sowmiya
DOP : S.Pandikumar
Music : Ajesh
Art :  P.A.Anand
Editor : San Lokesh
Stunts : Dinesh Kasi
Rating: 4 stars

Make no mistake about it, this film is a gem. Director Shakthivel’s film Alangu doesn’t have top stars or a big budget. It doesn’t make fancy promises or tall claims. Yet, this is a film that is worth celebrating. Alangu keeps you hooked to the screen, from start to finish, and makes you sport a satisfied smile by the time you exit the theatre.

Simply put, this is fine filmmaking at its best.  Shakthivel has, with a  bunch of mostly unknown actors and a set of skilled technicians, delivered an exceptionally entertaining film that is based on a real-life incident.

Synopsis…
The story revolves around Dharman(Gunanidhi), a tribal  youngster who lives with his mother and younger sister, in their ancestral village located atop the mountains blessed with forest cover.

One day, Dharman and two of his friends are asked by a landlord to dispose of the carcass of an animal that has been beaten and killed in his shed.

When the friends carry the body of the animal to bury it, they find that it is a dog that is still alive. A kind Dharman saves the animal and convinces his friends to let go of the animal, despite strict instructions from the landlord to kill it. The animal, whom he names Kali, senses his love and follows him to his home and eventually makes its way to his heart. 

It is at this time that Dharman, to lend a helping hand to his mother financially, chooses to work for a couple of months in neighbouring Kerala. What happens there is what Alangu is all about.

The film pleasantly surprises you in almost all aspects. From cinematography to music to acting to narration, there is hardly a department that fails to deliver.

Cinematographer Pandikumar’s visuals are a delight to watch. His camera captures the beautiful forest landscape in all its glory and presents a feast for our eyes.

Ajesh, who made a mark as a singer winning the television reality show Super Singer, announces his arrival as a music director in Alangu. Be it his background score that aptly amplifies the mood on screen or his music for the songs which seem original and rooted to the region, Ajesh is just outstanding. The young music director shows his class and delivers some fine music that eventually plays a big role in making the film what it is.

San Lokesh’s editing is sharp and keeps the story tight. The story moves at a blistering pace and for the most part, has you on the edge of your seat. Credit to a large extent for this must go to San Lokesh.

Kaali Venkat is the only well established actor other than Chemban Vinod in the film but that hardly makes a difference as almost every actor entrusted with a role in the film delivers.

Kaali Venkat in particular is just brilliant. As the maternal uncle of Dharman, he plays his character with grace and maturity.

Chemban Vinod has little to do but he does what is expected of him with a flourish.

That Kaali Venkat and Chemban Vinod are capable of delivering exceptional performances is something we already know. But what really lifts Alangu and makes it stand out is the performance by its protagonist, Gunanidhi, who plays Dharman.

Gunanidhi appears calm, collected and is so much at ease playing the tribal youngster Dharman that you find it hard to consider him as anybody else by the time the film gets over. He delivers a measured, yet powerful performance that makes you sit up and take note. You have no problems accepting him as the hero of the film and eventually, without even realising it, begin to root for him.

There are two other actors who make Alangu really special. One is Sreerekhaa who plays Dharman’s mother. The actress is just a revealation and showcases a powerful performance that leaves you spell bound.

And of course, the other character that is bound to win your heart handsdown is the dog that plays Kali.

Strong characters, good writing make Alangu stand out:

Actors and the technicians might have done their bit but Alangu, to a large extent, owes the impact that it has managed to make to good writing and excellent direction. The way the characters have been crafted and the story is narrated make for a thrilling watch.

The film has a lot of takeaways on love, loyalty and trust. But its most important message, to me, is on kindness and its power to change lives.

Verdict: An exceptionally well made survival thriller that is well worth your time and money!