101. Vadakkupatti Ramasamy ; movie review

VADAKKUPATTI RAMASAMY

Cert 12A

144 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, threat

I have always struggled with comedies since I began watching Indian movies more than a decade ago.

This is partly down to missing the meaning of gags centred on dialogue which would only be understood by a native or fluent speaker.

In addition, shouty slapstick favoured by many studios is not my bag.

Thus, I am aware of positive reviews for Vadakkupatti Ramasamy, but I didn't get it.

Karthik Yogi's film centres on a conman (Santhanam) who makes a living off the superstitions of villagers.

Many of these surround their local temple and the goddess who they believe can either bring good fortune or bad luck.

However, his income stream disappears when a riot prompts the closing of the temple and leads him to think creatively about how to ensure its reopening.

His master plan, which I found unfathomable, involves persuading the villagers that the goddess could send them blind.

Meanwhile, an army major (Nizhalgal Ravi) goes crazy and lays down landmines.

And then there is the almost inevitable comedy movie appearance of Rajendran as the leader of a rabble of clueless thugs.

There are Keystone Cops-style elements and lots of loud voices, but try as I might, Vadakkupatti Ramasamy went over my head. 

Reasons to watch: If you are a native speaker

Reasons to avoid: Misfiring gags

Laughs: None for me

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Hindus worship three main female deities. They are called Saraswati, Lakshmi and Shakti.

The final word.  Karthik Yogi: "The film deals with a real-life incident that happened in a village in the 1960s-70s. Also, Ramaswamy is an iconic Tamil name that continues to create waves and we have explored layers and meanings behind that name." Cinema Express

 

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