Vijay Sethupathi is on a roll in Kollywood with most of his movies striking gold at the box office. He has become one of the most bankable stars in Tamil Cinema. His association with “Renigunta” director R Panneerselvam raised expectations.
To put it bluntly Karuppan is a frame to frame remake of a countless rural movies made in the eighties and nineties. Nothing is new and the déjà vu hits you right after an impressive jallikattu intro. The movie then turns into one of those countless movies that we have endured. Repetitive scenes annoy us while the romance between the lead pair tests our patience. Even the villains are such a caricature that they are totally useless. The predictability of Karuppan kills any interest that is left.
Vijay Sethupathi all beefed up still cannot save this film. The typecast VS with his typical mannerisms and dialogue delivery does not give you more. Tanya is his love interest and is quite OK in her role that has a little more to do than the typical heroine. Bobby Simha is in an insipid role and you wonder why he agreed. Pasupathi is back after a long interval and it is nice to see him on screen. Singam Puli comic antics do not work.
Sakthivel behind the camera has worked well while D.Imam’s score is the weakest in recent times. The songs are major irritants. Dialogues are OK while the direction by Paneerselvam does not match up to his earlier standards.
Karuppan is a throwback to the 80’s and is only for the most loyal VS fans.
KARUPPAN – KARUPPU VELLAI !!
1.75/5
B.U.Shreesha
