REVIEW OF JIGARTHANDA

What does it take to create a genre out of nothing? What does it take to bring a fresh experience to a genre that is already chewed worse than a betel nut? The first question can be answered via a 300 page paperback. Hence I have no choice but to take a rain check on that. Let’s focus on the second for now.

Gangster-a character that attained cult status thanks to the Brandos, Pacinos, Tarantinos and many other o’s that I miss here. A man with blood on his hand who always thirsts for another’s is every villain’s dream. In fact, every actor who enters the silver-screen with an anti-hero aspiration is sure to portray one such role within the first three films of his career. Such is the frequency of gangsters in world cinema. But looking back in time how much such gangsters stand the test of time. Countable. Definitely in the single digits. It’s either poor scripting or poor portrayal or a bit of both. But time and again there comes a gangster who will make us see the true emotions that is covered by a façade of anger at all times.

Jigarthanda (Cold-Heart) (which is also a popular drink in Madurai) is a gangster saga painted in red white and dreams. The story spins around a gangster named “Sethu” in the first half who makes the story to spin around itself in the latter half only to give us a run through the ups and downs of being a gangster with some unforgettable cinematic moments coupled with some eye catching cinematography.

Maybe it was my exposure to world cinema or something else; the film reminded me of some lesser known Hollywood films (notably America’s Sweetheart). But let’s not take the credit from the team. Their hard work and a different take on the over-chewed genre (go back to first para) is definitely a (Usain) Bolt from Blue.

First thanks to the producer for the obvious reason. The second thanks to the director for the more obvious reason. The biggest congrats (no thanks to him) goes to Simhaa who has literally been a gangster in both the halves only to give us a lesson that it is indeed possible to come out of the bloodshed life if you will for it.

Few touchy moments, few racy moments, few hair-raising, edge of the seat along with an intelligent screenplay is what makes this a must-watch if possible twice or thrice experience.

JigarThanda- A cool movie about a cold-hearted gangster.