Nayakudu: Movie Review
Rating: 3/5
Actors: Udayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, Fahadh Fazil, Vadivelu, Lal, Sunil Reddy etc.
Cinematography: Theni Eshwar
Editor: RK Selva
Music: AR Rahman
Production Company: Red Giant Movies
Producer: Udayanidhi Stalin
Written and Directed by Mari Selvaraj
Release Date: July 14, 2023
Mari Selvaraj is one of the directors who has created a unique style for himself in Indian cinema. A section of the audience is ready to watch his film whenever it comes out. He also touches on public issues in his films. That is why Udayanidhi Stalin gave Mari Selvaraj a chance to make his last film before entering full-fledged politics. This movie released as 'Mamannan' in Tamilnadu has already become a big success. Along with Udayanidhi Stalin, there is also a huge star cast like Fahad Fazil, Vadivelu, and Keerthy Suresh. And how is this movie? Will it impress the Telugu audience?
Nayakudu Movie Story:
Raghuveera (Udayanidhi Stalin) is a martial arts trainer. His father Thimmaraju (Vadivelu) was the MLA who won from the reserved constituency. Leela (Keerthi Suresh), Raghuveera's classmate. Even though both of them like each other since their college days, they don't even talk to each other. After college, Leela starts an institute to provide free education to the poor. But there are obstacles at every step. Thimmaraju's approaches to building the institute. Raghuveera then donates his martial arts training center to the institute.
One day some hooligans attack the building and destroy it. The hand of Ratnavelu (Fahad Fazil) and Anna (Sunil Reddy) belonging to Timmaraju's party is known to be behind this. Ratnavelu comes down to settle the quarrel as it gets bigger. What happened after that? Why is Raghuveera not talking to his father Thimmaraju? How did it become a caste conflict? You have to watch the movie to know.
Nayakudu Movie Analysis:
Mari Selvaraj is a unique style among Tamil directors. In his films, the scenes speak more than the story. Like the previous two films, Mari Selvaraj chose the caste issue this time too. How the characters of both the hero and the villain are established at the same time by running two scenes in parallel at the beginning of the film is impressive. Hero loves pigs. Because of this, he raises some pigs. On the other hand, the villain breeds dogs. He has no love for them. Bred just for the races. He does not hesitate to beat him to death if any of them lose a race. He also shows the differences between their ideologies in the opening scenes of the movie.
The first half is all about introducing the characters, and their ideologies and getting ready for the face-off between all the key characters. Compared to the first half, the second half is very racy. Political struggle, ups, and downs will be interesting. Mari Selvaraj's mark is nowhere to be missed. There are many interesting shots in the film such as the Buddha statue in the background while Vadivelu's character, who seeks peace, thinks.
The main highlight of the movie is the interval bang. A performer in Udayanidhi Stalin can be seen in this scene. Also, the climax is impressive. The audience leaves the theater with a sense of satisfaction. The dialogues in the movie are also strongly written. 'It is my right not to let you sit. It is my politics to make your son sit.' Fahad Fazil's dialogue reflects his characterization and intelligence. Udayanidhi Stalin's question, 'He didn't sit down, why didn't you sit down?'
The duration of this movie is two hours and 37 minutes. But many scenes can be cut in the first half. Mari Selvaraj, who introduced the characters quickly... Udayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh slowed down a bit during the flashback. The film would have been more gripping if some of the flashback scenes and the song were easily trimmed. But the flashback of Udayanidhi Stalin's childhood is very strong. Selvaraj presented very well and convincingly why he became a rebel.
Another strength of the film is AR Rahman's music. The songs and background music composed by him became the pillars of the film. Theni Eshwar's cinematography establishes the mood perfectly. The producer of this film is also Udayanidhi Stalin, so he spared no expense.
Nayakudu Movie Actors Performance:
Vadivelu is a surprise package in this movie. Tamilnadu Vadivelu might have done some performance-oriented roles. But seeing Vadivelu like this is something new for Telugu people. Vadivelu's performance as an innocent and helpless in the first half and as a brave man who will stand up to anyone for his son in the second half is impressive. In the scene in the second half where Fahad warns Fazil in the car, his performance in the scene where Udayanidhi waits for the villain at home with Stalin holding a knife gives goosebumps.
Everyone knows how well Fahadh Fazil acts in performance-oriented roles. This is also among the best performances of his career. This is Udayanidhi Stalin's best role in his career. Keerthy Suresh's role has good scope in acting. Leela got into the position. All the other actors acted within their scope.