Idli Kadai trailor reminded me of the Malayalam film Usstad Hotel with Dulquer and Thilakan in main roles. Releasing on October1.
Positives:
- Dhanush is wonderful as Murugan, not just with his look changes, but with his crumbling innocence and classiness that offer warmth. He looks brilliant in the “angry shot.”
- The casting and predicted characterizations are well-derived and mostly superb on screen. Arun Vijay, as the rich and spoiled antagonist, is striking. Rajkiran is a terrific choice and stands out. Shalini Pandey is a great pick, while Sathyaraj seems a little disappointing, though not necessarily bad.
- Dhanush the director looks solid, and the making appears apt for the subject. It’s a great genre shift from his previous works and feels emotionally sound.
- The cinematography is excellent, radiating that earthy rural vibe of simple living, idli stalls, struggle, and charm. The contrast between hand grinding and machinery is well-pictured, and the transformation from a village backdrop to a more corporate one is neatly done. Other production qualities are good too.
- The concept and ideas that Idli Kadai brings to the table are vintage but nice: legacy vs profit, ethics vs convenience, and family vs ambition. A simple and relatable conflict, which hints at peculiar yet familiar dramas.
Negatives:
- The story feels extremely template-like and predictable as a whole from watching the trailer. Nothing quite original to witness so far.
- GV Prakash’s music, despite his past success with Dhanush, is severely underwhelming here. There’s no sense of originality, and it feels like an “input-output” job.
- Their combination may have greatly worked in Thiruchitrambalam, but here the chemistry between Dhanush and Nithya Menen doesn’t sit right. She seems too old for his character, and the pairing feels tired and forced. Maybe it will click in theaters.
- The trailer cut could have been sharper and more engaging. It is presented like a saga, but I’m not sure if the film will carry that seriousness based on this glimpse. The dynamics aren’t quite clear either, which does spark some interest.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this is a decent trailer from Mr. D & Co. More than the story, the focus seems to be on lingering emotional connect, which may or may not work in the final cut.
