Highly Recommended:Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu!

At last a good film!After suffering some blunt Villus,"Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu" comes as a refreshing change in the box-office.The first big film of 2009 indeed.

The movie is all about "Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu",a kabadi team written off by their own villagemen as "Good for Nothing" and how they discover themselves under the aegis of a dedicated coach by winning a state level tournament.The storyline may be thin but the movie comes alive with some refreshing characters(Even that bus driver stays in your heart),natural dialogues and interesting Kabadi sequences.

The movie is laced with rib-tickling humour throughout(The parota shop scene is an example).The heroine with no name(played quite well by Saranya Mohan) adds to the fun with a  love episode which somehow keeps reminding you of "Subramaniyapuram".(A dark male with beard,A fair female who always keeps smiling and a BGM similar to "Kangal Irandal").

Vishnu does a neat job of his role.All characters keep you engrossed with their realistic portrayals.But it is Kishore who comes out as the hero by doing a Kabhir Khan of "Chak De".His Tamil accent is interesting.The director does a brave job by bringing to light the dark role of caste politics in the selection of a Kabadi team.

Music is passable.The movie lacks a pucca chartbuster to pull crowds-A must for such films with nondescript stars("Subramaniyapuram" had "Kangal Irandal").The climax seems contrived and just wants to make the film more maudlin.I just do not agree with the climax which could have been done in a better way.

Nonetheless,the movie is a cult one.The first serious sports film in Kollywood(Calling "Chennai 28" a serious movie is doing injustice to Venkatprabhu).

My favourite moment in the film:The intermission shot.Innovative!

Overall,Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu-Chak De India set in Subramaniyapuram!

Umesh Rating:* * * *(4 stars)