Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam review: Begins on a promising note, but starts to get complex as the plot thickens

Director Muthaiya is a master at narrating stories from the rural belt. He again picks Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam (Muthuramalingam aka Kathar Basha), an intriguing plot that is both complex and gory.

The director is known for his ability to observe and present the subtle intricacies of relationships between family members. However, this time around, he seems to have bitten a little more than he can chew.

Nevertheless, Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam has its high points and some of them are definitely worth cheering for. Before we take a look at the film’s positives and negatives, here is what the story is all about.

Synopsis

The plot of Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam begins with Selvi (Siddhi Idnani) who is being cornered by her relatives into marrying one of her two uncles — both notorious villains.

While one suitor is the younger brother of her sister-in-law, the other is the brother of her brother-in-law.

Ironically, her brother and sister, unable to withstand the pressure and the humiliation the families of their spouses subject to them, are no longer there to protect her.

With her brother and sister gone, Selvi has nobody to turn to for help. Realising her helplessness, the families try to corner her with the help of the villagers. They force her to marry one of their own.

The reason they want her to marry her into their family is because she is now the sole heir to her family’s property.

Selvi’s defiance

It is under these circumstances that a defiant Selvi, who is bringing up the three young daughters her brother has left behind, chooses to seek the help of Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam (Arya), who is serving time in prison.

When Kathar Basha learns the lonely battle Selvi is waging, he is moved to pity. He also gets to realise that he owes Selvi’s family his life as one of her family members had saved him in prison.

To repay her family’s kindness to him and to show his gratitude, he decides to stand by her and find her a suitable alliance other than her uncles.

What happens then is what the film is all about.

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Weak points

While Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam begins on a promising note, it starts to get complex as the plot thickens, with several significant characters being introduced one after the other.

At one point, the number of characters on screen and their relationships with one another leave you flabbergasted. In fact, it takes a while for you to wrap your head around the complex plot that has been spun.

Sample this. There are at least four different families around which the story primarily revolves: Selvi’s family, Kathar Basha’s family, Selvi’s brother’s wife’s family and Selvi’s sister’s husband’s family.

Each family has at least three-four prime characters in it. To add to this, other characters are looking to foment trouble. It is a mind-boggling mix and leaves you exhausted.

The film has intense action sequences where a lot of blood gets spilled. The action sequences could have been a highlight had it not been overdone.

Almost every alternate scene has a fight sequence and that kind of makes the entire exercise taxing.

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Strong points

On the positive side, the film shines the light on some social issues in a strong fashion. It showcases how female infanticide is in practice even today.

Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam tries to highlight that while the practice of killing female infants might not have changed, the motive behind the dastardly practice is certainly no longer dowry.

It also beautifully brings to light how some families in rural areas use weddings as an instrument to keep their wealth and usurp the wealth of other families.

Performances

Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam has some fine performances to offer.

Arya, who did an exceptional job in Sarpetta Parambarai (2021), is at absolute ease playing the rough Kathar Basha. He does a fine job, owning his character and living his part.

Siddi Idnani, who is not originally from Tamil Nadu, does an outstanding job as Selvi. She looks very much like a girl from the rural parts of the state.

She also delivers a more-than-convincing performance as the bold lass looking to stand her ground in the face of grave adversity.

Prabhu, who plays the senior Kadhar Basha and Naren, and Tamizh, who play two antagonists, also do an exemplary job.

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Besides, the movie has a strong background score which works for the most part. But in some scenes, it does little to enhance the mood and only adds to the din.

The editing department seems to have missed the bus on this one.

Final Take

A lot of trimming could have made Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam into a much more enjoyable fare than what it actually is.

(Views expressed are personal.)