Thaana Serndha Kootam - Big Time Laughter Guaranteed!

Expectations were riding the crest of a Tsunami for Vignesh Shivn and Co when Thaana Serndha Kootam (TSK) was due to release in Pongal as the phenomenal rib-tickler was following the smashing and rollicking success of  NRD. 

Did TSK live up to the sky-high anticipations as set by its predecessor?

I will come to it in a bit.

But, for those who might wonder why I had right away begun by saying "Expectations were riding" in the first line - Well, even in the film - RJ Balaji was directly in front of us without any prior announcement or unwanted circumlocution but he cut straight to the heart of the matter with his interview. 

I am just trying to maintain the spirit of this fantabulously strong, logical and intelligent script where the towering pillar of strength lies in its handling of the narration and screenplay.

And, Yes. TSK equaled NRD's expectations in an atrociously compelling way - Positive. Of course.

There are no dull moments in the full film. No time to look here and there or at your watch (mobile or hand) or yawn due to boredom and monotonousness. You will be simply glued to the narration of the subject like a superglue.

I am not going to reveal any plot points or plot twists and spoil your completely wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable and highly entertaining experience.

Just like NRD, Anand Raj blazes away in his role. It was The. Best. Raid. Ever. In. Kollywood.

Vignesh Shivn (VS)  has once again proved his mettle that a serious scene can also be turned into an extremely humorous for the audience if it's well-thought out. To execute it is immensely difficult but not impossible as VS demonstrated in that ridiculously fun and funny show-stealer, Sorry - Movie-stealer.

It's not just Anand Raj. Be it the entire support casts as Senthil, Thambi Ramaiah or RJ Balaji (RJB) - everyone has a vital role to play at some point in the movie.

Also, It was refreshingly atypical of RJB to don his character as and where he is not seen for most of it and just when I was wondering how he has an underwhelmingly minimal effect on the story, he makes a surprising and much-needed re-entry like a Space Capsule into the Earth's atmosphere.

Akin to Vadivelu in 'Mersal', Senthil makes a good comeback with his Obsessive Compulsive nature to crumble the mantle in line with his famous and erstwhile evergreen comedy with his partner - Goundamani in their heydays.

VS was smart enough to not overdo it and even smarter when he didn't unnecessarily use and waste the potentials of such accomplished seniors in the Industry. I had a slight apprehension that TSK might be a tad confused and muddled as there were too many comedians. But, VS shattered it to pieces. Even Brahmanandam has a logical connection to the narration.

As we are on the lines of overdoing, it was exceedingly heartening to see Keerthy Suresh restrain her over-exuberant acting but be subdued and add more value not only to the movie but also herself as she has a substantial character much like the essence of Tracy Whitney's character from "If Tomorrow Comes" by Sidney Sheldon. It was exceptionally stunning to see her in the Blue saree against the Blue hued sky background in one of the songs.

Kudos to the Cinematographer for beautifully capturing and making it pleasantly colorfully throughout the movie's duration especially when showing Ramya Krishnan (RK).

She was smoking hot in her ponytail when they were in Hyderabad. I had plenty of doubts as to whether she was the actual heroine or Keerthy Suresh as RK continued her supreme run from the magnum opus "Baahubali". As I said earlier, I am not going to plunder away your surprises by revealing any suspense on what RK or any of them has done in TSK. Watch it to find out! 

Karthik played his part but he wasn't as effectively utilized as Parthiban in NRD and the corrupt CBI top official could have been more meaner and menacing with his full authority and power rather than looking like a blundering fool in the end.

But, the movie inevitably belonged to the 3 fine gentlemen - Surya, Anirudh, and VS.

This was the Surya that we, okay me!, was patiently waiting and wanting to see for a long time after a string of flops - excluding 24 - though no questions on his superior acting skills even during his misfires. He has nailed it this time with his performance when it has come to his choice of a fantastic script selection that goes hand in hand with his mesmerizing and sublime talent.

Ani's songs were a chartbuster even before the film's release. The visuals have done enough justice to his splendiferous beats and the BGM was always on the edge and in perfect sync with the mood of the story. He didn't drop his guard anywhere and always alert by playing to his strengths. 

In each and every Surya's films, it is he who elevates the storyline to another dimension - Be it Kakka Kakka, Perazhagan, Nanda, Varanam Ayiram etc. For once, he is completely eclipsed by another equally outstanding person - VS. 

TSK is solely VS's brainchild and he can proudly lift his collar up and say with confidence that he was the chief architect of TSK's success which is surely going to be one of the biggest revenue-pullers of 2018.

And, Yep. Definitely. The movie has its fair share of glaringly incomplete, unanswered and logical letdowns. 

I will cover them in another blog. Soon.

But, when you see the film as a whole by outweighing the pros and cons, TSK vibrantly stands out and emerges as an awesome butterfly that spreads its joys and smiles with its colorful and engaging wholesome enjoyment with the street-smartness and wittiness of VS who is visibly yet invisibly watermarked onto each and every frame.

The Content will always remain the King. And Queen. 

PS:

I have reserved the best for the last as it literally left me in splits:

Like 'Roja Poomalai' in NRD, TSK had its own version - 'Mayil'.

Similarly, the fast-shifting of candidates who were interviewed in the final stages, some of their answers were too good to be true and left me in stitches.

The usage of 'Sasikala', 'Thuraisingam' as the name for one of the Policeman after Surya's cop essaying in the 'Singam' series, and cleverly changing "Not allowed" as 'Note allowed' was simply a stroke of brilliance.

Once again, Hats off to the entire team!