Kulasamy Movie Review: Vemal’s Kulasamy is a recent addition to Kollywood’s filmography, dealing with the subject of sexual crimes against women and abuse of power by men in official positions. Though the film’s intentions and themes are noble, it fails to make an impact on the audience due to weak writing, amateurish staging and a predictable screenplay.
The film begins with the death of a college girl who is gang-raped on the outskirts of Madurai. In the next scene, the investigating police officer apprehends a suspect involved in a heinous crime. However, before he can produce the accused in the court, a mysterious man kills the suspect with the help of a dog. Concurrently, we are introduced to Soora Sangu (Vemal), an auto-rickshaw driver who is dealing with a personal loss, his late sister who aspires to be a doctor. We are also aware of a notorious gang led by a gangster who sexually exploits underprivileged girls enrolled in a private medical college.
The crux of the story revolves around what happened to Soora Sangu’s sister and who is responsible for the series of murders that happen in the area.
Kulasamy attempts to expose the harsh realities of sexual exploitation and abuse of college students, but unfortunately, fails in execution. The film lacks originality, and the characters are one-dimensional, lacking depth, making it hard for viewers to empathize with their struggles. There is not a single conflict in the film that compels us to put our emotions into it. Although the subject matter is disturbing, most of the visuals and staging feel clichéd.
In the second half of the film, we are taken to Vemal’s past, where we come to know the injustice faced by his sister, and here we find it challenging to connect with the emotions depicted, as the scenes are predictable. . Because we know from the beginning what will happen.
The climax is typical of this genre, in which the protagonist becomes a savior of sorts for many others. However, the background score and cinematography are decent and help in injecting some emotion into the film. Vemal’s performance is the only saving grace of the film, as he carries the film entirely on his shoulders, albeit with limited success. Actors like Tanya Hope, Vinodini Vaidyanadhan and others have done justice to their roles.
On the whole, Kulasamy fails to tell a compelling story that resonates with the audience. For those seeking a thoughtful exploration of crimes against women, the film’s lack of nuance and nuance may prove disappointing.