‘Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru’ salutes the police force

 

By Mythily Ramachandran

Karthi’s terrific performance and director Vinoth’s well researched racy screenplay makes this a must watch  

How do you find a needle in a haystack?
That old adage describes the story of this Tamil Nadu police officer who was determined to bring to book a group of criminals out on a rampage for almost a decade.
With just a fingerprint as a clue and goading him ahead, Theeran arrives in Rajasthan with a group of subordinates to nab the dreaded dacoit leader Oma Singh.

Director H. Vinoth takes viewers on this investigative trail that keeps you well hooked onto the screen with its gritty screenplay and a nail biting finish.
The story dates back to 1997 when a group of dacoits looted lone houses situated on the Chennai Bangalore highway leaving behind bodies gruesomely killed. Theeran (Karthi) following his posting in Ponneri begins investigating these cases but is given little support by his seniors until a local MLA’s house is targeted by dacoits and is killed too.
With the case now getting its due importance, Theeran’s long journey begins. Revealing more would be a spoiler.

Unlike the regular cop stories of Tamil cinema, Vinoth’s story is about an ordinary policeman who takes his duty seriously and with pride. Karthi’s Theeran is unlike the roaring Singham Durai of ‘Singham’ with loud dialogues and actions, but a lion that prowls business like in pursuit of its victim. And, that makes ‘Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru’ believable. It’s clearly a career defining role for Karthi, who projects Theeran with a neat and perfect performance.
I loved the scene where Theeran’s senior wants to take him off the investigation as Priya, his wife is hospitalized, but Theeran argues that he wants to continue on the investigation as he was proud to be a policeman and it was not out of vengeance. Theeran’s eyes well up as he remembers his late father, also a policeman who died on duty, yet his mother never reminded him of the hazards of a policeman’s life.

Vinoth’s research into the history of the dacoit gang dating to the British era is commendable. Drawing his characters with utmost care Vinoth’s narration is engaging. Despite the ruthless killing by the robbers, the scenes reveal little gore yet convey the impact of violence well. 

Director H. Vinoth

While the focus is on the investigation, Vinoth occasionally gives us a peek into Theeran’s love life. The onscreen chemistry between Rakul Preet Singh and Karthi is cute with a freshness in their romance. 

Cinematographer Satya Sooryam’s frames elevate Vinoth’s story. The night visuals of the dacoit while in robbery bring an intimidating feel and the action shots are awesome, especially the one where Theeran follows a gang member atop a moving bus. Stunt director Dilip Subbarayan deserves special mention for staging well orchestrated action sequences. 

A hero’s heroism is better defined by making the villain loathsome. Abhimanyu Singh as the dacoit leader, Oma surpasses his earlier roles. Oma is more visible in the second half and as the camera pans over him for a while, it comes down to his eyes. We see the terror lurking inside. Singh’s magic lies in his eyes and he uses them magnificiently.

‘Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru’ entertains while saluting those police officers who place duty before their family.  Sadly these officers were never given their due recognition.