Manithan Movie Review

Court room dramas always shown as over-the top loud outings in Tamil cinema. The arguments are shown in the most dramatic way since Gauravam days. But three cheers to director I Ahmed that Manithan, a movie set around a court and an argument over a particular case sticks to stay close to reality.

The movie stars Hansika Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Rajesh, Radharavi and Vivek with Udhayanidhi Stalin playing the lead. Music is by Santosh Narayanan. Udhay plays a struggling lawyer well who brings out the actor in him. Until now, Udhay was seen as a wannabe commercial hero who runs around tree romance and tries to throw jokes. But here he has tried to make a new attempt. He seems to have done it well. He made a sincere attempt to stay different from his earlier films.

Interestingly, the movie is inspired by Jolly LLB, a Hindi movie that featured Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla. The Tamil version has seen some tweaks to suit regional audience and the end product is appealing.

The music of Santosh Narayanan, camera by Madhie go hand in hand while Ajayan Bala’s simple yet porwrful dialogues steal the show.

Adhiseshan (Prakashraj), is the most powerful and influential advocate in the coiuntry in Supreme Court. He coimes to Madras High Court to appear for a case involving the son of a business Tycaoon, who mows down six persons sleeping in platform driving his car on a night after drinks.

Interestingly Sakthi (Udhay) is a naive advoicate from a small town in Pollachi. He is compelled to come to Chennai to make a livelihood. As an advocate he finds it is extremely difficult. At one point, he is shocked to see the business tycoon’s son getting discharged from the case and he files a PIL against it. A mightily riled Rajpal throws all he has into the ring and his means are more foul than fair.

There begins his reality check. The legal system, it difficulties are made known to him. He transforms a different man and now takes on Adhiseshan to ensure the poor and needy gets justice in the case,.

The legal loopholes and corrupt police officers are thoroughly exposed. The movie from a humourous side takes a dig at serious issues.
Ahmed deserves pat for staying to the original. The changes he made in the script too are good.

Hansika has little to do while Ishwarya rajesh gets to play a brief role as journalist. Prakash Raj and Radharavi gets a chunk act and deliver it well. Also watch out for Udhay’s climax episode with the two. The trio does make it interesting.

Produced by Fox Star and Red Giant, Manithan is a noble attempt that deserve a watch.

Manithan – Legal drama