The hype around Thuppaki just isn't justified, writes Pavithra Srinivasan.Possibly the year's most anticipated movie has finally released: Gemini Film circuit's Thuppakki, which sees the collaboration of many greats, starting from Kalaippuli S Thanu, to Santhosh Sivan, Harris Jeyaraj and Sreekar Prasad, achievers in their own field. Garnering pride of place among them all, certainly Ilaiya Thalapathi Vijay and director A R Murugadoss, who've joined hands for the first time, and vowed to deliver an action-adventure that would bring us to the edge of our seats.
As to whether they've actually succeeded in accomplishing this lofty aim, especially as this is a genre well-tried and trusted both by them as well as other makers and actors, is something that's open to debate.
The beginning, at any rate, is very intriguing, starting from the opening credits, with beautifully stylized 3D shots of Mumbai in all its glory, and then to the railway station, where a family eagerly awaits the arrival of a much-loved son: Captain Jagdish D (Vijay), of the Indian Army, who's currently on leave from his duties, and is returning to Mumbai.
Jagdish, of course, gives us a charming entry with an impromptu dance while the train is halted for some reason and then reaches home to a rapturous welcome. Almost at once, he's whisked away to a bride-viewing ceremony, where he comes face to face with a saree-clad and demure Nisha (Kajal Aggarwal), and who he's quick to refuse, as they don't 'match,' in his own words. And then he sees her in an entirely different and welcome light, whereupon his sentiments change and the wooing begins in earnest. So far, so romantic but matters take a serious turn when he's riding a bus and stumbles upon the terrible machinations of a terrorist group, determined to wipe out Mumbai.
Here starts a cat-and-mouse game as Jagdish, swift to identify terrorist 'sleeper cells,' devises a plan with his staunch but bumbling SI (Sathyan) and his army friends, to outwit the kingpin (Vidyut Jamal), who seems to possess wit enough to challenge the superior intelligence of Jagdish himself.
The first round goes to Jagdish and a smooth victory it is, thus setting the scene, you hope, for more brilliant twists and turns. And no doubt, the various schemes and counter-schemes sounded fantastic on paper. It's the execution where everything swiftly unravels, and descends into mediocrity.
For one thing, Jagdish, typical of all Tamil cinema heroes, elects to work alone for some reason, except for his friend who apes Holmes's Dr Watson, and provides all the
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