Kollywood director Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s new film, Lal Salaam, featuring her father, Superstar Rajinikanth, in a special role, along with Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant as the main leads, is out in cinemas today.
Story:
The film’s story is set in Kasumuru village. Youngsters Guru (Vishnu Vishal) and Samshuddin (Vikrant) were once close friends until a tragic incident drove them apart, turning them into bitter rivals. Moideen Bhai (Rajinikanth), a textile businessman from Mumbai, has ties with Guru and his village. The plot unfolds smoothly until the villagers of Kasumuru face insults from another village. The subsequent events, the escalating severity of the conflict, Moideen Bhai’s involvement, and whether the youngsters manage to reconcile eventually are all elements of the story waiting to unfold on the big screen.
Vishnu Vishal delivers a performance ideally suited to the character’s demands. The portrayal of the village ambiance and retro aesthetics is skillfully executed.
Vikrant’s performance is adequate, and Rajinikanth impresses with his mannerisms and select dialogues in the role of Vikrant’s father.
Jeevita Rajasekhar shines with her natural appearance, and the supporting cast performs adequately.
Minus Points:
The film’s weak storyline and sluggish screenplay are its main flaws. The message Aishwarya Rajinikanth aims to convey lacks originality, as similar themes have been explored in older movies. As director and co-writer, Aishwarya could have worked with co-writer Vishnu Rangasamy to infuse more emotional depth to bolster the film’s impact. The emotional scenes lack power, and the absence of an evocative score further blunts their effectiveness. The unfamiliar cast, questionable dubbing choices, and underwhelming performances hinder the film’s ability to connect with audiences. Aishwarya’s direction fails to elevate key scenes, and the inclusion of Ananthika, Kapil Dev, and Nirosha as the heroine adds little to the story.
The film’s weak storyline and sluggish screenplay are its main flaws. The message Aishwarya Rajinikanth aims to convey lacks originality, as similar themes have been explored in older movies. As director and co-writer, Aishwarya could have worked with co-writer Vishnu Rangasamy to infuse more emotional depth to bolster the film’s impact. The emotional scenes lack power, and the absence of an evocative score further blunts their effectiveness. The unfamiliar cast, questionable dubbing choices, and underwhelming performances hinder the film’s ability to connect with audiences. Aishwarya’s direction fails to elevate key scenes, and the inclusion of Ananthika, Kapil Dev, and Nirosha as the heroine adds little to the story.
