'Sigai’ a Tamil whodunit thriller

By Mythily Ramachandran

The first original Tamil feature film on ZEE5 directed by Jagadeesan Subbu has actor Kathir in a never before seen role

With theaters unable to meet the increasing number of films clamouring for space, digital space is opening new doors. Tamil film ‘Sigai’ released online in January 2019. 

‘Sigai’ follows the life of Nimmi, a call-girl, whose sudden disappearance at a client’s home sends Prasad, her pimp investigating.  

Directed by debutant Jagadeesan Subbu, this crime thriller carries within its narrative, a sensitive tale about inclusion of every human being irrespective of who they are.  

Prasad (Raj Bharath) is not the regular pimp portrayed in cinema. His language is neither crass nor humiliating of the women, he sends out on work. And his prostitutes are not garishly dressed. Surprisingly Prasad comes across as a compassionate human being who feels for his women team. So when Nimmi (Meera Nair) fails to report at her client’s place the next day, after visiting Prasad’s client the night before, he decides to enquire about her whereabouts. And, he stumbles upon a murder. Revealing beyond will be a spoiler.

‘Sigai’ takes a while in the first half, introducing us to its different characters. Post interval, with the entry of the London returned Mathivanan-the dead man’s friend-the story gets intriguing. Kathir, a good performer and still basking in the success of his last film-‘Pariyerum Perumal’lends a poignancy to his life as Mathivanan. It’s a subtle performance there.  

Director Subbu is to be hailed for choosing a story that embraces a social message like this one on his debut. I only wish he had invested some more on telling Mathivanan’s background story. Navin Kumar camera work is remarkable.

Poraali

Poraali, lacks the punch that Samudrakani and Sasi Kumar have come to be known for

‘Man is a social animal,’ reads the tagline as ‘Poraali’ opens revealing a dark night dominated by sounds of animals. And the narrator states that there is an animal residing within each one of us only waiting to rise at the opportune moment. Coming from the stables of acclaimed actors- directors’ duo Sasi Kumar and Samudrakani, you wait expectantly for the story to unfold. Sadly Poraali disappoints. There is nothing new in the script. The age old vendetta for family property with a scheming step mom out to oust her step son forms the core of the story. Naturally there is enough gore and more. The script meanders aimlessly and when it realizes its futility, it raises its head to offer serious lines on humanity and how we are drifting apart in our quest for material pursuits. The first half of the story entertains as Kumaran and friend Nallavan make an honest living in a city like Chennai. Comedy in the form of Ganja Karuppu has you chucking occasionally. Add slapstick humor for roars. The film turns serious when the two friends are hunted by their villagers who claim they are insane. And viewers walk down memory lane. 

   

PLUS POINTS: Sasi Kumar as the protagonist Kumaran puts in a good performance. Allari Naresh as Nallavan shows potential though at times, he goes overboard. Swati’s versatility comes to the fore once again as a city bred girl. Nivedita on her debut in Kollywood impresses.

MINUS POINTS: A weak script with poor characterization makes Poraali a disappointment. Making the film a typical masala is the group dance to start with soon after the film opens. Sasi Kumar joins the league of super heroes who bash up a multitude of villains with ease. As if all this was not enough, the last scene meant for laughs at Ganja karuppu’s expense mocks at the viewer’s intelligence. Now where did Nallavan’s family spring from?
Even the music failed to linger in the mind.

CAMERAWORK: Kathir has done a good job, be it in capturing the villages and the city cacophony. 

VERDICT: ‘Subramaniapuram’ with all its violence had a soul, ‘Nadodigal’ carried a social message, ‘Easan,’ a hard hitting take on the powers to be was honest but ‘Poraali, lacks the stroke that Samudrakani and Sasi Kumar have come to be known for.