Kalloori – subtle and stable

Shankar’s movies have always created a huge hype even before the movie is completed. Not only Shankar’s directions but his productions also create the same hype. Kalloori a movie with a star cast where everyone other than Tamanna are new faces has managed to create the hype and live up to the expectations it created. Balaji Shakthivel, from the Shankar’s school has managed to keep the flavour of the script intact all through the movie.

The movie when it opens gives a regular run of the mill college flick feel with the only difference being the rural college backdrop. Colleges in Tamil cinema has always been in Chennai, Ooty or Coimbatore but this one is an absolutely rural Govt. Arts College. The story essentially revolves around nine friends from school who make it to the same college where they meet Tamanna who is privileged enough to join the gang. So what happens next is the usual friends, love, fights, et all but the packaging is different and definitely fresh.

The technical brilliance which is a definite component in every Shankar’s direction is considered an unwanted cosmetic fitting in his productions. Shankar’s productions have always trusted on the script, the actors and the director. Balaji Shakthivel has woven a clean relationship between ten people and named it friendship. The script has everything for keeping the audience glued to the movie. Balaji Shakthivel in this movie has been in complete control of the shots and dialogues, they are not too short, not to long, crisp and cut right.

The movie could be in the Guiness for a record number of new faces. Nine out of the ten lead characters are freshers but each and everyone of them are registered well in the audience’s mind. But for instance Vijay’s ATM or Ajith’s Varalaaru, I am still not able to re collect even the protagonist’s names. Balaji Shakthivel has professionally etched the characters of the lead artists.

The movie has humour sprinkled here and there and most of the times it is situational and splendid. Although I dint like Balaji’s previous film Kaadhal, this film kept me hooked for a solid three hours. I probably dint like Kaadhal because I couldn’t relate to it at any point. I haven’t eloped before and I would never elope. I’ve never had my love reciprocated so I was a distant spectator and that movie made me yawn at places where some people claimed to have been in tears. But Kalloori is absolutely relatable inspite of its rural backdrop.

The technical department has been in full sync with the director which is evident while watching the film. No technician is flawed in his work. Balaji Shakthivel has delivered yet another hit and expectations for his next movie is already flying sky high.