Spoilers ahead…
Adhe Kangal is directed by Rohin Venkatesan, but it’s perhaps more useful to consider the name of the producer: CV Kumar. Some of his films work, some don’t – but they’re always interesting, at least on paper. At the beginning, Adhe Kangal looks like a love triangle. A blind chef (Varun, played by Kalaiyarasan) falls for Deepa (Sshivada), while his friend Sadhana (Janani Iyer) is in love with him. But soon, there’s an accident, an abduction – the film morphs into an investigative thriller.
The problem with Adhe Kangal is that it rarely transcends the “interesting on paper” stage. There’s a great story, but the screenplay isn’t tight – and the detours into duets and Bala Saravanan’s comedy, with Mickey Mouse music, don’t help. The dialogue is too direct, with little flavour. And for a thriller, there’s very little mood, atmosphere. Is it fair to expect a bunch of newcomers to make a technically accomplished film, to really know their craft? Perhaps not. But in the face of something like Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru, excuses look weak.
Things begin to look up in the second half, even if the big reveal is seen from a mile away. But the villain’s character makes things slightly interesting. It’s easily the best-written of the bunch, and the others end up looking completely colourless in comparison. Adhe Kangal belongs to Sshivada. She’s asked to deliver a few too many enigmatic smiles, but she pulls the film together. Among the less-established actresses, she has easily the best resume – the terribly underrated Nedunchaalai, last year’s gonzo horror film Zero, and now this. One hopes Kollywood is taking note.
KEY:
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Baradwaj Rangan 
MANK
January 26, 2017
Brangan, you are perhaps the only reviewer who pointed out the merits of nedunchalai. i was very impressed by the way that film was shot, especially for a low budget B movie,the action chase scenes on the highway etc was well handled, eventhough i found certain aspects and scenes of the film rather crude for my tastes. but agree about shivada, she was terrific in the film. watch her in the malayalam film Su.Su. Sudhi Vathmeekam
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praneshp
January 27, 2017
“One hopes Kollywood is taking note.”
Best comedy of 2017
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Swami
January 27, 2017
“One hopes Kollywood is taking note.” – I highly doubt so. Mainstream Kollywood sets up a two inning match for our heriones. First Innings is all Scant, Second Innings (when they are relegated to Amma/Akka roles) the substance part comes in. Sure, this is a broad brush. While we have new gen film makers who have started making meaningful cinema, that canvas is yet to be extended to heriones or herione centric roles, IMHO. If you haven’t seen Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam yet, I suggest you should.
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brangan
January 27, 2017
Got this hilarious comment on Twitter: ” I read the name in Hindi and was confused… “half bankrupt” 😀
Swami: Actually, things seem to be changing a bit now. The fact that a Trisha is still thought of for a Kodi, or a Jyotika is doing a Magalir Mattum and has a (presumably) important role in the Atlee/Vijay film — these are signs of change.
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e.hari
January 29, 2017
Swami – One hopes Kollywood is taking note – Don’t agree with the broad brush here. There were few exceptions along the way from the 50’s, who managed to stay in the fray for longer going through scant, substance and eventual transfer in to Gunachitra roles ( aka akka/amma). Simran is another recent example.
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