Kaththi Sandai is a Tamil-language action-comedy film directed by Suraaj and released on December 23, 2016. Starring Vishal in the lead role, the movie is a typical masala entertainer filled with action, comedy, and emotional drama. With a runtime of around 150 minutes, Kaththi Sandai attempts to strike a balance between thrilling action sequences and light-hearted comedy, aiming to captivate the audience with its star power and mass appeal. While it offers the usual elements expected from a commercial Tamil film, it also faces some challenges in terms of storytelling and execution. Let’s dive deeper into what makes this movie tick and where it falters.
Table of Contents
Plot Summary
Kaththi Sandai follows the story of a man named Arumugham (Vishal), who is a carefree individual with a strong sense of justice. He is mistakenly caught up in a political conspiracy involving a local politician and a series of unfortunate events. As the plot unfolds, Arumugham finds himself in the midst of a larger battle against corruption, all while trying to protect his loved ones and stand up for what is right. The film is peppered with moments of humor, romance, and action, leading to a climactic showdown. The story, while not groundbreaking, tries to blend the commercial elements that fans of Tamil cinema love. It’s a tale of courage, love, and the fight for justice, wrapped in a package of high-octane sequences and emotional moments.
What’s Good?
One of the major highlights of Kaththi Sandai is Vishal’s performance. Known for his action roles, Vishal delivers a solid performance as the hero, balancing both the action-packed sequences and the lighter comedic moments with ease. His screen presence is commanding, and he plays the role of Arumugham with the right mix of toughness and vulnerability, which resonates well with the audience.
The music, composed by Hiphop Tamizha, is another standout feature. The songs are catchy, with the title track being especially popular among fans. The background score complements the action scenes and helps in maintaining the film’s pace. The music adds a fun and energetic vibe to the movie, which works well with the overall tone of the film.
Cinematography in Kaththi Sandai is decent, with the action sequences being shot effectively. The camera work captures the high-energy fight scenes, and there are a few visually impressive shots that keep the audience engaged. While the visuals are not groundbreaking, they serve the purpose of maintaining the fast-paced nature of the film.
Direction by Suraaj, while not exceptional, does enough to entertain the masses. The film’s structure follows a tried-and-tested formula, but it is executed in a way that appeals to fans of commercial cinema. The dialogues are punchy, and the screenplay keeps the audience hooked with its twists and turns.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Kaththi Sandai does a good job of catering to its target audience, which is primarily fans of mass entertainers. The movie’s strength lies in its action-packed sequences, engaging music, and Vishal’s charismatic performance. The comedy, though at times over-the-top, provides some relief in the midst of intense action, making the film a rollercoaster of emotions. The dialogues, especially the punchlines, are a crowd-puller, and there are moments where the audience can’t help but cheer for the protagonist.
However, the film falters in certain areas. The plot, while engaging, feels predictable at times, and the narrative lacks depth. The characters, including the supporting ones, are somewhat one-dimensional, and the emotional moments feel forced. The film relies heavily on commercial elements, which may not appeal to viewers looking for something more meaningful or innovative. The pacing, especially in the second half, tends to drag, and some sequences feel stretched unnecessarily.
Overall, Kaththi Sandai is a fun film for those who enjoy commercial Tamil cinema but may not leave a lasting impact on those seeking a more nuanced story.
Target Audience
The movie is primarily aimed at action lovers, fans of commercial cinema, and those who enjoy a mix of humor and drama. Families looking for a fun outing may also find Kaththi Sandai entertaining, though it is more suitable for audiences who appreciate the masala genre. Fans of Vishal will particularly enjoy his performance, and those who enjoy fast-paced action with a dash of comedy will find it appealing.
Box Office Details
Kaththi Sandai was produced with a budget of approximately ₹40 crore. Upon its release, the movie had a strong opening, attracting a decent crowd in theaters. The worldwide box office collection for the first week was reported to be around ₹65 crore, which was considered a moderate success, given the expectations from a commercial film of this scale.
Here’s a breakdown of the day-wise earnings for the first five days:
- Day 1 (Opening Day): ₹7.5 crore (India), ₹1.5 crore (Overseas)
- Day 2: ₹6 crore (India), ₹1.3 crore (Overseas)
- Day 3: ₹6.5 crore (India), ₹1.2 crore (Overseas)
- Day 4: ₹5 crore (India), ₹1 crore (Overseas)
- Day 5: ₹4 crore (India), ₹0.8 crore (Overseas)
The film saw a steady decline in earnings after the initial days, but it still managed to perform reasonably well at the box office. The movie’s commercial success was largely driven by its mass appeal, star power, and the festive release period. Despite its flaws, it managed to attract a significant audience, especially in the Tamil-speaking regions.
Recommendation
In conclusion, Kaththi Sandai is an entertaining action-comedy that delivers what it promises: high-energy action, comedy, and mass appeal. While it may not be a game-changer in terms of storytelling, it serves its purpose as a commercial entertainer. If you’re a fan of Vishal or enjoy masala films, this movie is worth a watch. However, if you’re looking for something with more substance, you might want to look elsewhere.
Genres:
Action, Romance
Rating:
3.1/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Vishal Krishna | Ramakrishnan (Arjun) |
| Tamannaah Bhatia | Divya |
| Jagapati Babu | Thamizhselvan |
| Vadivelu | Dr. Boothri |
| Soori | Deva |
| Tarun Arora | |
| Nirosha | |
| Jayaprakash | |
| Soundara Raja | |
| Aarthi | |
| Chinni Jayanth | psychology professor |
| Madhan Bob | |
| Swaminathan | |
| Azhagu |
How is Our Review?
Let us know if you liked our review of Kaththi Sandai through the comment box, so that we can keep creating such content for you.
Disclaimer: Some of the information on the article, including box office collection, cast, crew, and movie details, is sourced from IMDb. However, our reviews are based on our team's firsthand viewing experience and reflect our honest opinions about the movie.
