Thekku Vadakku Review: Vinayakan, Suraj Venjaramoodu Pride Clash Fails To Win The Viewer
What could have been made as a short film has been expanded into a movie over two hours long—that is what the Vinayakan and Suraj Venjaramoodu-starrer Thekku Vadakku has turned into. The comedy-drama, directed by Prem Shankar, revolves around the ego clashes or pride battles of two elderly people embroiled in a property dispute over ancestral land.
The movie, which begins on a good note with wit and sarcasm about society and the system, soon disappoints by wasting both the story and the audience’s time. Thekku Vadakku does have its good moments, but these are overshadowed by bad ones and a careless execution of the non-linear script.
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The acting is perhaps the one saving grace, offering viewers a glimmer of solace as both Vinayakan and Suraj Venjaramoodu deliver masterful performances. The talented actors shine in their portrayal of two elderly individuals, who fight over what can be seen as trivial matters, yet not so trivial for their egos.
Ego clashes between individuals have been a common theme across films in various languages. From another perspective, most action movies, in one way or another, are about the ego of either the protagonist or the antagonist. For those films that have succeeded, it is the script and direction that have carried them through.
In Thekku Vadakku, what further spoils the experience for viewers is the shaky screenplay, which fails to deliver an engaging piece of entertainment. The one person who could have salvaged the film was the director, but instead, he appears to follow the screenplay blindly without adding much to save the movie.
Interestingly, while the character detailing is done well, the development of these characters within the overall story is incomplete. The efforts of the lead actors go in vain, as they are confined to static dialogues and repetitive scenes.
There was another opportunity to redeem the film during the interval point. However, even here, the filmmakers’ tendency to stretch the story further weakens the narrative, and the film sinks once again.
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One lingering question remains: what were the other characters doing in the movie? They were mere pawns, remaining stagnant in most scenes. It seems like these additional characters were included just to make the audience believe that this isn’t merely a two-person film, but a larger ensemble with a full cast. Unfortunately, that decision by the writer and director falls flat. Apart from Vinayakan and Suraj Venjaramoodu, no other character leaves a lasting impression once the end credits roll. More importantly, the lead performances may resonate with some viewers, though not with all, due to the compelling acting displayed on screen.
Timeline Verdict: The film could have been far more effective had the director and writer shown more care in crafting it. Watch it at your own risk.
