'Soodhu Kavvum 2' joins the long list of sequels that miserably failed to do justice to the first installment.
A still from the film 'Soodhu Kavvum 2'. (Supplied)
Film lovers raised their eyebrows when a sequel was announced to Soodhu Kavvum (2013), the much-raved-about Tamil film that was released a decade ago.
Though a few actors are retained from the first part, the lead actors aren’t the same, thus evoking little expectations among cinephiles.
Many expressed concerns over the new team’s capability to do justice to the 2013 released movie which went on to attain a cult status. All eyes were on the producer who has a knack for introducing new talent to the industry.
The Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, who acquired power through crooked means, comes up with an innovative idea for his party’s success in the forthcoming state election.
Little does he know that he has earned the wrath of his father, a revenge-seeking cop and three thugs who stop him from executing his plans.
The unbelievable recovery of a former Chief Minister from a coma makes things even more difficult for him. Will he be able to pull off another victory with his unethical practices?
A poster of the film ‘Soodhu Kavvum 2’. (X)
A few jokes that land once in a while are the only positive aspects of the film that test our patience to the hilt. The movie mercilessly destroys the first part’s stature, thanks to lackadaisical writing, unengaging characters, irritating performances and tiresome conflicts.
Some of the scenes are mere rehashes of well-made sequences from the first part, leaving us scratching our heads.
One of the highlights of the Nalan Kumarasamy directorial was the ideation and execution behind each scene that left us in awe. However, Soodhu Kavvum 2 ends up as an assault on the senses and a disservice to the dark humour genre that was effectively crafted in the first instalment.
Soodhu Kavvum 2 begins on a rather promising note though. The idea of an ageing politician who recovers from his illness after decades only to rectify the corrupted system in the state had ample scope to entertain the viewers.
However, things went downhill from the moment the scenes that aped the ones from part one began appearing one after the other. The lead actors’ arcs offer nothing and we are disassociated from the events that unfold on screen.
The sub-par making style, inefficient music and a terrible screenplay rub salt in the wound.
Most of the actors remain clueless till the end, thanks to the weak characterisations. The role of Yog Japee which was celebrated in Soodhu Kavvum is destroyed to smithereens.
Aruldoss’ character makes no impact this time while MS Bhaskar is decent. It is Karunakaran’s character that offers some respite.
Siva, who is adept at delivering witty one-liners in his trademark style, does not have much to do here because of the pitiful approach that has gone into writing.
He is seen either drinking or smoking in almost all scenes, another testimony to the lack of creativity in developing something worth keeping the audience engaged.
The makers’ horrendous attempt to cash in on Soodu Kavvum‘s popularity backfires big time. Soodhu Kavvum 2 joins the long list of sequels that miserably failed to do justice to the first instalment.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
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