IRUDHI SUTTRU (2016)

IRUDHI SUTTRU (2016)

Director: Sudha Kongara

Casts: R.Madhavan, Ritika Singh, Naasar, Radha Ravi, Kaali Venkat, Zakir Hussain
Music: ‘Hip Hop’ Thamizha
Language: Tamil
Genre: Sports Drama

After 4 years gap in Kollywood, the once celebrated romantic Maddy is back with this emotional, intense boxing flick, “Irudhi Sutru”. Helmed by Mani Ratnam’s former associate Sudha Kongara, who made a impressive debut with Srikanth’s Drohi, five years ago, is all set to enthrall the audience with another strong film. Madhavan has went through many physical training and toned his body for the role. This second innings will be a crucial one for Madhavan in sustaining his career. Under Santosh Narayanan’s music, the film’s songs have already captured the music buffs instantly. So will ‘Iruthi Suttru’ keep up to its strong pre-talks?

Synopsis

Prabhu Selveraj (Madhi), an disgruntled, rough boxing coach gets transferred to Chennai due to a friction between Indian National coach Dev (Zakir Hussain). He then finds a gem in the slum, Madhi (Rithika Singh), an unruly, coarse fishmonger, who is extremely talented in boxing. The progress of their relationship, tribulations and achievements form the crux of the story.

Story – Screenplay

Director, Sudha Kongara can be commended for her focused screenplay that is powerfully emotional and instinctively thought provoking. The stamp of strong feminism and her portrayal through the subject of boxing is innovative and praiseworthy. Sudha introduces her lead characters that are unconventional and flawed. Naturally we are disgusted and frustrated by both Madhavan and Rithika in their first sequences. However, Sudha scores distinction when she makes the flawed characters bump into each other and unveil their inner beauty through their friction. Like how reality is, she has portrayed the first impression theory and dismantled their layers progressively, making a deep impact on the audiences. This happens to all the characters in the film. How real!

Realism being the most striking factor of the film, Sudha does not shy away from adding commercial elements through several montage songs but does it so seamlessly and effortlessly. The lifestyle of the slum community has been portrayed with much research and the slang adds on to the nativity of the subject. With a good message and intention, the film encourages more women to live their dream in sports.

On the flipside, the film does not break away from sports film clichés at the climax. The film ‘s climax also looks a little too brief and half-done. For a plot that has set-up so much of characters, closes too quickly, leaving the audiences yearning to know what else happens in the life of Prabhu and Madhi.

Casting & Performance

Maddy is back! Yes! Madhavan shows lots of maturity and the determination to carry this character with finesse. In such a layered character, his hard work is evident and his eyes sparkles with hunger to take a leap in his career. He has even worn braces for the film in order to create the effect of having a lisp that most boxers have from sporting injuries. Certainly, ‘Iruthi Suttru’ is one of his best performances in his career.

However, the main scene-stealer is mixed-martial arts artist turned actress, Rithika Singh. She is a terrific surprise package who has lived her character in the film. Expressions, emotions, body language or dance, you name it all and she scores in it all! A real talent in the making!

Supporting characters like Nassar, Mumtaz Sorcar and Kaali stick in your heart with their own scene stealing moments they are assigned too. Hindi actor Zakir Hussain as the menacing, corrupted National coach is a perfect casting. Veteran actor Radha Ravi does a brief but powerful role as Madhavan’s mentor.

In overall, Sudha has packed many talents in the film and has extracted realistic, excellent performances from them.

Technicality

P.C Sreeram’s former associate Sivakumar Vijayan has helmed the camera for the film and has given brilliantly raw visuals complementing the slum subject. The warm tones and shaky cam techniques, supplement the director’s narrative at many parts.

Dinesh’s dance choreography does remind us of ‘Aadukalam’ but at the same time, it gives the same impact as homage. Santosh Naryanan’s songs are very well placed and gel well as a character progression tool. He out beats himself with each movie and ‘Iruthi Suttru’ is no different.

Bottomline

Packed with hard punches of realism, 'Irudhi Suttru' is a determined cry of passion presented sincerely and sensibly.

Verdict:

Rating :  4.25/5