Film Review 'Irandam Ulaga Porin Kadaisi Gundu': A neat entertainer with a powerful message

The director of the film, Athiyan Athirai, makes the audience understand his intentions right from the start. The concept is brilliant and is penned in such a way that not even one scene is out of context. In the very first scene,we see a huge bomb, which was used during World War 2, getting washed ashore after being underwater for years.

Even before the local police officials discover it, the bomb ends up in a local scrap yard, where dealers exploit the workers for low wages and even abuse them physically if they disobey. And, running on a parallel is the love story of Selvam (Dinesh), a lorry driver who works in the same scrap yard and Chithra (Anandhi), a girl who hails from a middle-class community. Within a few minutes, we get to know that their relationship is in trouble as Chithra's family is against it. There are even scenes where her brother's wife tries to murder her (Chithra) to safeguard the family's reputation.

At a point in time, when Selvam needs to protect Chithra, he gets entangled in another deadly situation. He finds the bomb in his vehicle during a work-related trip to Puducherry. Little does he know that the corrupt officials are already after him to confiscate the bomb for their own purpose. Will he get caught or deliver the bomb to the right hands?

Just when we think what the outcome of the scenes would be, director Athiyan surprises us with his unique screenplay. Like Pariyerum Perumal, many sequences explore caste politics and capitalism, without being preachy. Speaking of the climax, Athiyan has done something that no director has done before and he handles it smartly. The message of anti-war and peace hits right on our face and makes us understand how discrimination may lead to blood-shed. Riythvika's role as a journalist adds a lot of value to the script. The sequences where she meets Selvam and explains the haphazards of the bomb and the political angle behind it leave the audience in tears. Dinesh and Anandhi bring on screen the casual camaraderie. Though Anandhi reminds us of her role in Pariyerum Perumal, she stands out as Chithra. She has played her part perfectly and we cannot imagine any other artiste pulling off that role with such grace. Dinesh, too, has transformed himself as a worker, who spends most of the time in the scrap yard. His character is very relatable. Munishkanth, who travels along with Dinesh throughout the film, has done an impressive job. His one-liners are funny and lift the film whenever there is a lull.

Tenma's background score plays a huge role in giving a different colour to the film. It elevates your emotions and helps to connect with the characters on screen. Overall, the film is a must-watch for those who believe cinema as more than just entertainment.