KADAMBAN

  It has been a while since we saw Arya on the silver screen. He is back after a gap of more than a year, with Kadamban, which has hit the screens on this Tamil New Year (April 14th). If you had seen the trailer of Kadamban and if you have guessed the plotline of the film, congrats to you. You haven’t gone wrong. The film is all about the battle between a group of villagers in a forest, headed by Arya and a corporate business tycoon. Though the story might not be something new, the treatment and the visual experience, give you a good feel throughout. The director has taken some extra time to establish the characters (people of Kadambavanam). Right after the first song, the film starts to travel on the path of the core plot, and there aren’t many deviations. When the story takes place in a forest backdrop, animals are a must, and the director has wisely used them, wherever required. The climax sequence, involving a herd of elephants, is shot in such a way that it is convincing. Kudos to the entire team for pulling off that! The film’s subtle emotions about human relationships are dealt well, but a section of an audience might find it melodramatic. Thankfully, there aren’t any love portions in the second half, that definitely would have hindered the pace of the already averagely engaging film. The screenplay lacked intensity, was predictable, including the small twist towards the climax. There are a few worries here and there, but on the whole, it doesn’t look that bad, as a film. This movie looks to be Arya’s forte. The transformation of his chocolate boy look to a beefed up, muscular man is good and his stunt moves are extremely well done. He easily fits the bill. Catherine’s performance has been decent enough. Though there aren’t any romance in the latter half of the movie, she does have some screen time. Aadukalam Murugadass, Super Subbarayan, and the Kadambavanam people do what is expected of them. The villain, Deepraj Rana definitely could have been much better.