With a very lite pre-release buzz and hardly any promotion, Haridas managed to hit a few screens last week. I was expecting a novel storyline or a usual story told in a novel way - the movie fell in the former category. Director GNR Kumaravelan has made a poignant effort to handle the subject of autism and has managed get a decent outcome.
Sivadas (Kishore) is a deadly encounter cop who is given the sole responsibility to eliminate the goons from the city especially the fearsome Aadhi (Pradeep Rawat), who plays hide and seek with the cops. On the other hand Sivadas’s mother expires leaving behind his motherless son (Haridas) whom she was taking care of till then. Haridas happens to be a special child diagnosed with autism. The story from thereon moves on how Sivadas moulds Haridas’s life by identifying his strength with the help of his son’s caring school teacher, Amudhavalli (Sneha) along with balancing his career that gives him sleepless nights.
At the beginning of the movie there is a disclaimer that the movie is a fictitious account based on true events and that got reflected well. But the sole problem that I was able to identify with this movie was the slow pace. Also a bland screenplay along with a low key star cast added to its woes. One cannot expect a twist in such a realistic genre, but the director should have ensured to seal the audience to their seats with a gripping screenplay since he had some ammos in the form of an encounter cop’s story as the backdrop. Though the two storylines synced, there was hardly any edge of the seat moments that one would expect.
Kishore was brilliant as an encounter cop - his body language and a naturally bald-head was apt for the character.
Master Pritviraj Das as Haridas has done a great job to carry the delicate role of an autistic kid. He in fact carried the movie on his shoulders along with Kishore to ensure that the audience felt the pain of both the father and the son.
Sneha had yet another neat role that had its boundaries clearly demarcated; this role might prove to be the last nail in the coffin for her glamor zone as she was looking gorgeous with her conservative outfit and a benevolent attitude did a world of good for her characterization!
Pradeep Rawat would soon forget the movies that he has acted so far as he cannot be shown as a good guy. As a goon he looked deadly as always.
Yuhi Sethu as the pediatric neurologist gave some wise ‘gyaans’ about autism in his own style and cheered up the bland proceedings a bit.
The production value was average, with music proving to be below average at the hands of Vijay Antony who normally delivers decent stuff.
Cinematography by Rathnavelu was nothing special especially considering his previous outings in films like Enthiran, Vaaranam Aayiram and so on.
Editing by Raja Mohammed was really pathetic as the movie lagged in pace.
Even with as many lows that one can find out, it should be conceded that the movie had a few streaks of brilliance, especially the scenes that brought out the society’s awareness about autism, speaks volumes about our attitude towards the differently abled. The director should be congratulated for the sole reason to have chosen such a noble subject and has tried his best to voice his opinion to percolate some inspiring thoughts!
Verdict: Average
Rating: 2.5/5
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