Chithirai Sevvaanam movie review: Samuthirakani, Pooja and Rima excel in this intriguing crime family drama

3/5

Story: A doting father goes berserk after he gets to know that his teenage daughter is missing from her college hostel. He seeks the help of a dutiful cop to find his daughter, but in vein. Meanwhile, a few of his daughter's classmates, too, go missing. What's the connection between these missing cases? 

Review: Leading stunt choreographer of Kollywood, Stunt Silva, sprang a surprise when he announced his directorial debut with Samuthirakani in the lead role. With father-daughter bonding being the central theme of a film headlined by Samuthirakani, it isn't an exaggeration to say that one knows what to expect from it, thanks to movies with similar plots in which the actor-filmmaker was earlier part of.

But that's where the experience of someone like Silva comes in handy. He ensures it is not your regular father-daughter drama which has done-to-death superficial emotions. The convincing performances from a few artists is the catalyst which helps the film become an engaging watch. 

Muthupandi (Samuthirakani) is a naïve farmer based out of Pollachi. His life revolves around his daughter Aishwarya (Pooja Kannan) after the former's wife passed away when the latter was a kid. He wishes to see Aishwarya come up in life as a selfless doctor who could safeguard the life of people in his village. 

As someone who lost his wife due to the lack of medical facilities in his village, Muthupandi knows how important it is to have a caring doctor in his village. However, little did he know that it wouldn't be a cakewalk for him. 

He gets the shock of his life when he learns that Aishwarya goes missing from her college hostel. As if this isn't enough, he completely crumbles when he gets to know that a video of his daughter filmed by someone while she was bathing has gone viral among many youngsters. 

Despite finding it hard to come to terms with the fact his daughter is in deep trouble, Muthupandi goes in search of the primary source from where the video has been leaked. However, he understands soon that it isn't an easy task. With no option left, he seeks the help of Asha Nair (Rima Kallingal), a dutiful cop, who promises him to find his daughter.   

The plot and a few initial sequences come across as quite predictable initially, but as the story progresses, the proceedings keep you hooked, thanks to the writing which builds up tension organically. The major positive aspect of the screenplay is its ability to connect the viewers to the father's plight. 

With someone like Samuthirakani essaying the character, you can be rest assured that you will easily relate to every unfortunate emotions he goes through. Though a father's role is nothing new to the actor, the character arc makes his performance and flow of story compelling after a crucial point.  

You are really moved when a helpless Muthupandi innocently asks the cop if her daughter's video could be destroyed in such a way that no one could have access to it. You are moved when he requests a few boys in the hostel to delete her daughter's video from their phones. The scene in which a girl kills herself because her private video has been leaked is difficult to digest in today's times and sets a bad precedent. 

However, with such unfortunate cases being reported often on our society, one can't blame the makers of the film. But to make up for that, there is a scene in which Rima's character tells a teenage girl that girls need not worry if such videos of theirs get leaked. A rape scene in the latter half is sensitively depicted, causing angst and dismay in us. It also poses a question to us on the safety of women in the society.

Though the unexpected revenge angle isn't innovative, there are engaging moments which keep the viewers glued to their seats. When the viewers can connect with the protagonist when he takes on the baddies, the movie is already a success.

Pooja Kannan shines as the caring daughter who has no qualms in calling a spade a spade. Her scenes with Samuthirakani are easily relatable for the viewers. Rima is apt as the upright, practical cop who is torn in between her duty and the sympathy she has towards a helpless father.

The background score by Sam CS elevates the emotion in a few scenes, while cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and Venkatesh are adequate for the story. The overall making, however, could have been a little more better.  

Verdict: The movie, apart from effectively showcasing the relationship between a father and a daughter, succeeds to a good extent as a revenge tale, too. 

C​hithirai Sevvaanam is streaming on Zee5.