Lal Salaam Movie Review
Lal Salaam Movie Review
Emotional Engagement Emoji
“Lal Salaam” is a Tamil-language sports drama film directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth and produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under the banner of Lyca Productions. The film stars Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in the lead roles, along with an ensemble supporting cast including Rajinikanth (making a special appearance), Vignesh, Livingston, Senthil, Jeevitha, K. S. Ravikumar, and Thambi Ramaiah. The cinematography is handled by Vishnu Rangasamy, music composed by A. R. Rahman, and editing by B. Pravin Baaskar. The film has also been dubbed in the Telugu language. Let’s see how the movie unfolds and how our Rajinikanth shines in his special cameo appearance.
Story:
The movie’s story happens in Kasumuru village. Two friends, Guru (played by Vishnu Vishal) and Samshuddin (played by Vikrant), used to be close until something bad happened, making them enemies. This also makes the people in their villages, who follow different religions, enemies too. Moideen Bhai (played by Rajinikanth), a businessman from Mumbai, has links to Guru’s village. The trouble starts when people from one village insult the other. The story follows how the conflict gets worse, Moideen Bhai’s involvement, and whether the friends can make up in the end.
Analysis:
The story of “Lal Salaam” revolves around the conflict between two friends, Guru and Samshuddin, which escalates into a feud between their respective villages divided by religion. Despite a promising premise, the film falls short in its execution, with sluggish pacing and a lack of emotional depth hindering its impact. The portrayal of village life and retro aesthetics is commendable, creating a convincing ambiance for the narrative to unfold. However, the storyline feels derivative, lacking innovation and failing to offer a fresh perspective on its themes.
Lal Salaam Movie Release Poster
On the positive side, Vishnu Vishal delivers a strong performance, effectively portraying the complexities of his character. Rajinikanth’s presence adds weight to the film, though his role is limited. Jeevita Rajasekhar impresses with her natural appearance, and supporting actors like Thambi Ramaiah and Senthil deliver solid performances, injecting emotion into their roles. Moments depicting the genesis of the conflict and the characters’ egos are notable highlights, showcasing the film’s potential for emotional resonance.
However, “Lal Salaam” is not without its flaws. The sluggish screenplay hampers the narrative flow, making it difficult for viewers to fully engage with the story. Emotional scenes lack impact, exacerbated by the absence of a compelling background score to enhance their effectiveness. The film’s pacing issues further detract from the viewing experience, with prolonged scenes adding unnecessary length to the runtime. Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s direction, while competent, could have elevated certain moments, and the inclusion of additional characters like Ananthika, Kapil Dev, and Nirosha adds little value to the overall narrative.
In conclusion, “Lal Salaam” offers glimpses of promise with its compelling premise and strong performances, particularly from Vishnu Vishal and the supporting cast. However, the film ultimately fails to deliver a truly engaging experience due to its derivative storyline, sluggish pacing, and lack of emotional depth. While Rajinikanth’s presence adds star power, it is not enough to overcome the film’s shortcomings, leaving it falling short of its potential.
Highs:
- Rajinikanth’s presence.
- Performances of the actors.
- Good concept, even though it is not new.
Lows:
- Pacing issues.
- Needed more emotional connection.
- Could have worked more on writing conflicts and solutions.
Technical Aspects:
Pravin Baaskar’s editing and Vishnu Rangasamy’s cinematography are satisfactory, though not exceptional. While AR Rahman’s score is decent, it fails to leave a lasting impression despite his esteemed reputation. Moreover, the film’s lengthy runtime detracts from its overall impact, potentially causing viewer fatigue.
Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s dual roles as screenplay writer and director fall short of delivering a captivating experience. The plot feels thin, lacking depth and complexity, and the pacing, especially in the second half, becomes sluggish, testing the audience’s patience. As a result, the film struggles to engage viewers fully and may leave them wanting more depth and excitement from the narrative.
Verdict:
“Lal Salaam” presents a familiar tale of friendship and conflict set in a village backdrop, bolstered by strong performances from Vishnu Vishal and the supporting cast. However, its derivative storyline, sluggish pacing, and lack of emotional depth prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite Rajinikanth’s presence, the film fails to leave a lasting impression, making it a middling addition to the genre.
