Film Review: Kalagalappu

GOOD COMEDY scenes, melodious songs and neat fights have taken the front seat in Kalaignar Kalaikoodam's ``Kalagalappu''.If only the director had paid more attention to the screenplay the film would have been so much better.

Karna (Udaya) and Divya (Vijayalakshmi) who are college mates like each other. They want to get married but only with the permission of the elders. So when Divya goes to her village he follows her and secures employment in her house as a servant. For that he acts like a dumb person. Udaya's uncle Veluthambi (Napoleon) who is an influential man in the village is married to Thilagam (Jayaseel).

Veluthambi is a good sportsman whose first love is kabbadi. Srinivasan (Ramesh Khanna) who is also called Mittai by others lives in Veluthambi's house and is interested in Divya.

Kuzhandhaivelu (Ponnambalam) is another big shot who is defeated by Veluthambi in a kabbadi match. He wants to wreak vengeance but in his fight with Veluthambi also he loses.

Karna who behaves in a nice manner and earns sympathy is made to reveal that he is not actually mute. On a rainy night Thilagam is electrocuted. Divya's college friend Mini comes to their house and creates a small misunderstanding between Karna and Divya. So Divya gives her acceptance to marry her own uncle. Does the marriage take place? What is the fate of the Divya-Karna love? These questions are answered in the climax.

Napoleon as Veluthambi has done his work with sincerity. Udaya as Karna has enough potential. But he is used in a wrong script which does not bring his acting talent to the fore. His subtle acting as the servant will get due credit from the audience. Ramesh Khanna as the solo comedian rules the roost. When he reveals the truth about Karna's handicap it is not believed. Ponnambalam as Kuzhandhaivelu starts off as a villain but ends up as a comedian. His work is noteworthy. Vijayalakshmi is beautiful but it is Uma as Mini who must be complimented for her performance. Sukumar as the assistant of Ponnambalam must stop imitating Vadivelu if he wants to become a good comedian. Varadarajan, Haja Sharif, Sadhana and baby Pooja are also in the cast.

Deva's music is melodious and all the five songs will catch the attention of the audience. Rajarajan's camera work is pleasing. Kamalesh Kumar's story is not new and his dialogue is above average. Screenplay and direction are by Shiva.

S. R. ASHOK KUMAR

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