Eight years after directing his debut movie ‘Sillunu Oru Kaadhal’, director N.Krishna has come up with his second one, ‘Nedunchalai’ with little known faces in Kollywood. A hiatus has done a world of good for many in the film industry, especially the ones striving for a comeback, but Krishna seems to have cooled his heels off beyond a point where directors tend to lose their path and end up doing a film that looks far from what they really set out to do. This looks to be the case with Krishna’s ‘Nedunchalai’ as well!
The story follows a non-linear narrative going back and forth between the present and the 80’s. Set in the midst of nowhere on a national highway, the story’s protagonist ‘Tharpai’ Murugan (Aari) is a feared thief who leads a pack of four including his master who taught him the ‘trade’. He steals from the container trucks that crosses his territory and sells them to Sekhar (Salim Kumar) who is a petty businessman who makes a living out of it. On the highway, there is this dhaba which is run by a Malayali girl Manga (Shivada Nair) who finds it hard to meet ends meet due to lack of customers. Circumstances bring together Manga and Murugan, their relationship begins on a sour note as predicted and then love blossoms due to some tackily crafted sentimental scenes, largely thanks to the wicked inspector who is new to town, Masanamuthu (Prashant Narayanan). The things that proceed in a grim and dark way posts very many challenges not only for the lovebirds but for the audiences as well!
There are so many why’s to be asked…..
1. Why was the story told in a non-linear fashion?
2. Why do Kollywood directors stick to a ‘Paruthiveeran’ template whenever a grim rural romantic subject is handled?
3. Why was Thambhi Ramaiya unnecessarily thrown into the cast without hardly any scope?
4. Why do inspectors posted in the rural areas always have to be wicked?
5. Why does Salim Kumar’s character act in a very volatile way towards the end?
6. Why do we have to take such a tedious journey riddled with unwanted songs and that too one set in rain to lure in that sleaze?
If one is able to patiently answer these questions and make sense of the movie, then the movie can be watched with a pinch of salt, otherwise please drop it!!
Verdict: Not Worthy!
Rating: 1.5 / 5
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