Karnan movie review rating: Three stars out of five
Mari Selvaraj’s Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL (2018) despite its emotional provocation and politics, is a gritty, engaging take on caste atrocities in Tamil Nadu. In comparison, Karnan, starring Dhanush, loosely based on the 1995 Kodiyankulam violence, had me numb by the end credits, despite the constant cinematic touches.
Caste in Tamil movies
Caste politics was largely overlooked, but for exceptions, in a mainstream Indian movie setting. But lately, a bunch of Tamil filmmakers have been altering the status quo with stories rooted in caste frictions. Rajiv Menon’s A.R. Rahman musical Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018) also plays up caste as a hurdle to learning a musical instrument.
Vetrimaaran’s Asuran (2019) also starred Dhanush, with a grim but insightful depiction of how violence and its consequences cuts across generations. T. J. Gnanavel’s Jai Bhim (2021) is loosely based on a real-life lawyer who fought for the oppressed tribes starring Suriya. Pa. Ranjith’s Kaala, the Rajnikanth and Nana Patekar starring drama, had space for talking about slum politics, before succumbing to showcasing Rajnikanth’s mega hero image. Pa. Ranjith has since gone on to make landmark movies like the amazing boxing drama Sarpatta Parambarai (2021).
Karnan story: The going is tough for the residents of Podiyankulam, a non-descript Tamil Nadu village. They don’t have their own bus stop despite numerous appeals made to the government.
Asking for a pick and drop from passing vehicles is a better option for them, instead of trudging to the Melur (neighbouring village) bus stop.
Why?
Well, Melur inhabitants revel in upper caste delusions. They lord over Podiyankulam denizens, looking for occasions to humiliate, abuse, beat up and if needed murder them. The local police sides with them, making things worse.
Only the short-tempered and volatile Karnan (Dhanush) resists. But his hasty, reactionary, anger-driven nature puts the Podiyankulam community in danger. His grandfather Yaema Raja (Lal) is worried of Karnan’s volcanic outbursts and prays that the young man’s army selection comes through.
Stance and intent: Despite numerous telling symbolisms and inspirations (superb Theni Eswar cinematography) from the great Indian epic Mahabharat, Karnan falls under the weight of its depiction of murder and violence, leading to inevitable climatic face-off and mass tragedy.
The screenplay’s turn on justifying violence as a solution, and as a culmination to drum-beating dance and peace, never feels convincing. The set up is organic and evenly paced. But clearly Selvaraj can’t afford to depict his hero as weak and submissive, and this is where the plot is lost a little.
Karnan plays up almost as an escapist one-man-army flick, the championed violence marring robust cinematic scenes. The headless statue, village deity’s mask on visions of a long-lost sister, obvious references to breaking free, the long wail of a woman in labour in the midst of brutality, all deft strokes.
Selvaraj aims to disturb and provoke, but when does cathartic violent acts make things better? Never ever in history has killing brought peace. Galloping over this key aspect makes Karnan a lesser movie, despite the epic flourishes and earthiness.
Performances, music, etc.: Dhanush and Lal are top-notch, becoming one with the rural dustiness, rough-talking aggressive spirit of a marginalized community. Rajisha Vijayan, Yogi Babu, cinematographer/actor Natarajan Subramaniam as a sadistic cop, G.M. Kumar as the village head lead an impressive ensemble cast.
Santhosh Narayanan’s soundtrack and score is Karnan‘s beating heart, elevating and disturbing at will.
The 159-min running needed trimming, the extended ending prevents a hard-hitting closure.
Karnan review: Karnan is constantly credible when it sticks to conversations and riddle-rich visuals. An attempt at groundbreaking cinema that doesn’t always work, Karnan is worth a watch for the grim, gritty drama.
Recommendation: Selvaraj’s Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL, disturbing, but powerful, balanced, sane and decisive.
