Puli: Pulsating individual parts that don’t come together
Hello Friends,
Vijay’s much awaited blockbuster Puli, has everything in terms of the right ingredients – galaxy of stars, a nearly super star hero, beautiful leading ladies, stunning sets, visual effects and a music director known for hit songs. BUT, somehow the amalgamation of all these factors instead of making a breathtaking whole stands separately and refuses to gel. And it is obvious that the makers wanted to create a mega movie of BahuBali’s stature, but unfortunately the lack of blending of the individual parts makes it a boring watch after the first 30 minutes. Neither a handsome Vijay, nor the talent of SriDevi is able to revive and make it survive. What could have been a spectacular show given its fantastic features becomes a series of fights, sub plots, silly melodrama, often heard one liners, overkill of visual effects, loud music and belly button show dancing.
Plot:
The story of Puli is a tad confusing but one thing is obvious that, Marudheeran (Vijay) represents an oppressed clan but belongs to a community of Vedhalam. This community has been dominating these hapless village people for a long time and has been killing them for no reason. He sets out to Vedhalapuram in search of his newly wedded wife (Pavazhamalli) and his adventures along the route and his encounters with Queen Yavanarani (SriDevi), Jalatharangan (Sudeep) and Manthagini (Hansika Motwani) form the second half of the film. Marudheeran manages to prove his mettle to the queen and exposes Jalatharangan’s vendetta and finally saves the queen and her father from his evil clutches. In the meantime there is another love story developing between Manthagini and Marudheeran after he saves her from a bear. Marudheeran during this process comes to realize that he is a Vedhalam himself and that his parents have been wronged and killed by Jalatharangan and that his father was the prince of Vedhalam, prince Pulivendhan. There is a double act here, and Pulivendhan is Vijay again. The first half is fairly nice with love blossoming between Marudheeran and Pavazhamalli in the scenic locales. Second half is filled meetings with lilliputs, a giant tortoise, one eyed monster, talking bird and evil rings.
Costumes:
This was really good with bright colours and fabric ideal against a village backdrop. Gorgeous dresses for the queen with tiaras, lilliputs decked with flowers and cute little outfits were very nice. Even Vijay’s belted tunic in subtle shades and thick long boots were very much the kind of clothes a man from the forest would wear. Hansika as a princess was amazing to look in turquoise blue, shocking pink and lavender gowns, who looked every inch the princess.
Décor:
Hats off to the art department! The village shown in the first half, the riverfront, the cottages, the market place were soothing to the eye and you almost felt transported to an idyllic fantasy land. The palace that forms the anchor in the second half is equally breathtaking.
Acting:
Vijay bears the responsibility of being the master entertainer and does come up with new antics and stylish acting. Unfortunately SriDevi’s role demands her to do a bit of histrionics which seems contrived at certain instances. Shruthi and Hansika are merely showpieces, Prabhu essays a role with quiet dignity, VijayKumar has exactly two scenes and Sudheep of I fame does a damn good job of the evil spewing villain.
Useful Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puli_(2015_film)
http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/puli-movie-review/
Pictures sourced from the Internet
Cheers
Bhuvana Rajaram
