Review: 'Saguni' (Tamil)

Film: Saguni (Tamil)
Director: Shankar Dayal
Cast: Karthi, Pranitha Subhash, Prakash Raj, Radhika Sarathkumar, Santhanam, Roja and Kiran
Rating: **1/2

After almost a whole year of waiting, Kollywood has finally managed to pull-off the first complete entertainer packed with amazing songs, good performances, a fleeting yet captivating storyline and all the other makings required for a huge hit — Saguni delivers and leaves you smiling, pleasantly entertained.
Kamalakannan (Karthi) is from a prosperous family in Karaikudi, a family that still believes in several Gandhian ideals, including serving food to the hungry on a daily basis. The family owns a large house and even though their wealth dwindles over generations, the practice continues, earning the goodwill of the local people. The story then switches to the present where the government under a newly elected leader hopes to reconstruct a railway line that will pass right through this property.

Kamalakannan and his family are on the verge of losing their beloved house, the only symbol of their once-upon-a-time grandeur.

Kamalakannan is sent to Chennai to ask the Railway Minister to change the route of the new rail line and gets stuck in the never ending web of political chaos to get the smallest of jobs done. In the meantime, he bumps into his atthai (paternal aunt), played by Roja and subsequently her daughter, hence his murai ponnu, played by Pranitha Subhash and becomes their driver.

All this is, however, revealed in several flashbacks that the film is liberally seasoned with. The rest of the film involves Kamalakannan finally meeting the chief minister-to -be, played by Prakash Raj, who has been playing a game to ensure his future chief minister-ship. In the process, Prakash Raj kills the present CM and manages to also invite the revenge of an unhappy Kamalakannan. Add to this imbroglio the character essayed by Kiran (who makes a re-entry into the industry with this character) playing a member of the party conniving with Prakash Raj to get to the top by hook or crook.

The rest of the film follows Kamalakannan’s attempts at overthrowing Prakash Raj’s power, befriending a local powerhouse in Ramani aachi, played by Radhika Sarathkumar and eventually making her the mayor, reinstating a jailed CM-to-be and dethroning and defaming Prakash Raj’s character. This amid several twists and politically humoured sequences — gives you a clear picture of the comical side of Tamil Nadu politics.

The film also boasts of an extremely melodious soundtrack and the duet, Manasellaam…will surely stay with you even after the credits roll. Definitely a must watch for any Karthi fan and anyone looking for an uncomplicated feel-good movie experience.

Look out for the performances by Radhika Sarathkumar and Santhanam. has also released across the city in its dubbed Telugu avatar, titled Shakuni. This isn’t brilliant cinema, but it sure makes for a great watch with family and friends.