As Diwali approached, a hugely-hyped Tamil film fever took Sri Lanka by storm. Colombo was leading the lot. Virtuoso Vijay starring in Bigil, had generated lucrative days for theatre management in the days leading to the festival last week. Result, the Diwali release, hitting screens a few days before as special shows, have been running to packed capacity. A leading theatre, in the commercial-capital, had to delay shows to tackle the flocking movie fanatics.
Vijay, man-of-the-movie, through his full-and-full of women-oriented film, has given a wakeup call and drives home the message, they deserve equal footing.
A star-studded cast and crew, comprising music maestro A.R.Rahman, Nayanthara fondly dubbed as lady super star, veteran comedian Vivek, rising talent Yogi Babu, and director Atlee, to name a few, have delivered a strong entertainer revolving around the opposite sex.
Moments in to the film, the main comedian, Donald's (Yogi Babu) statement- "brace for the blast", sets the mood for the following scenes as the hero takes on local goons.
Following this is the first number with a Lankan baila (Surangani), here-and-there.“Verithanam” (madness) is a proof for the prodigious Rahman, in the industry.
The Angel (Nayanthara), is all white, in her intro scene and charms her audience.
Rayappan, Vijay’s second-role, in the triple acting sequence as area don, has synced well audibly and visually. With mostly grey hair, , he is completely transformed to an old man but is young at heart and mobile. He has played that character with a mix of action and father-son bond. Waxing eloquent in Chennai Tamil, he advises in a touching and sentimental manner to son cum football player, Bigil, to make a mark as a sportsman and not to follow his father’s footsteps.
By now, footy captain Bigil has found his soul mate in Nayanthara.
The manner in which Rayappan implores the football federation to clear his innocent sonBigil’s name, and draft him to the side, makes us realise a father’s role. Moving motivational lines asking Bigil not to follow his father’s line is delivered well.
But the son sacrificing his football aspirations, takes over as the father falls prey to underground violence.
Misfortune turns to fortune, as Bigil rises to the occasion taking over the reins as the Tamil Nadu woman’s team’s coach the intermission lets the audience breathe and brace for a roller-coaster second-half.
Giving tragedy and thuggery a break, he gets down to business, as a no non-sense and tough coach and leads the disunited girls pointing out where they went wrong in to a united unit.
The Tamil Nadu team, comprise players from all walks of life.
Of them, the post-intermission part reveals a few girls are denied and deprived of playing for the state.
Vijay, along with physiotherapist, Nayanthara, sets out to trace and bring them out from their shackles. One, a victim of a misconception that girls should be confined to household work and the other due to an accident (face burnt by acid). The big screen awaits you to find out as to what are the stories behind these.
He also plays the role of a rescuer, saving the sports from villain, Jackie Shroff.
This film drives home a compelling message of talent and skill needing no face (referring to the face burnt by acid ). The reunited unit rejoice and are closely-knit.
Singappanney song (Female lion) roars and vibrates in the theatre. It steals the show, with three musketeers (Vijay, Atlee and Rahman) appearing briefly together.
In an action-packed football match, the first-half turns out to be a flop. A fuming Vijay (Michael), goes to the dressing room and lashes out at the girls, aimed at igniting the fire. Fallen back in the game, they come out for the kill, firing all cylinders and turns the tables.
The three-hour entertainer ends with the hero having won women, and now crowds, thronging to theatres. Thus, the blockbuster, earns an 8.5.