Tamil (U/A)
Cast: Aadhi, Pasupathy, Dhansika, Archana Kavi, Karikaalan, Singampuli, Thirumurugan, Vijaychander, Kabir Bedi, Shweta Menon, Sruthi Prakash
Director: C Vasanthabalan
Historicals are always an arduous enterprise and need as much acumen and adeptness bringing them onto the big screen. Drawing inspiration is fine but making a fluent and fruitful film is a different ball game and not everyone’s cup of tea.
A proof of this proverbial pudding is director Vasanthabalan’s ambitious “Aravaan”.
Abjectly lacking in ingenuity and inventiveness and equally suffering from a sloppy and shoddy screenplay, “Aravaan”, based on a short story from S Venkatesan’s historical novella “Kaaval Koottam” turns out into a soporific and snoozy affair making one rue the ruining of an afternoon.
Of course, Vasanthabalan, with worthy credentials, whose “Veyil” won the National Award for Tamil language film, and “Angadi Theru” too wowed the box office, does show he has the sparks of an astute auteur well versed in the craft in painstakingly creating the period vaudeville.
However, Vasanthabalan sorely lacks the imagination to carry off the rather weighty and adventurous high adrenalin drama into a cinematic feat worthy of applause and appreciation.
Moving as slow and sluggishly as a snail, “Aravaan”, is a high-decibel action adventure done in a very matter-of- fact-manner – all bland and no spice. Set in the 18th century, it concerns a clutch of Robinhoods who pilfer the wealthy under the cover of darkness to provide for their kinsfolk.
It also speaks of long-lasting strife between two villages — Vembur and Chinnaveeranpatti. Kombodhi is gang leader of Vembur village, who, during one such sojourn, meets the fearsome, ferocious like feline — the maverick Varupuli.
Even as the two warm to one another, one learns during another such sortie that Varupuli, an ordinary man bestowed with extraordinary skills, does have a past as Chinna despite claims to the contrary which, in the final moments of the movie is the intriguing mystery unravelled.
Despite earnest efforts by the principal players the film fails to enliven and engage as an ensemble entertainer. However, exquisite sets and eye-catching cinematography lend lustre to an enterprise whose background score is so-so and does make up for the shortcomings. Despite the disillusionment of one’s expectations being cruelly dashed, “Aravaan” still deserves a dekko.