Raghu Thatha Story :-
In the 1980s, a young woman named Kayalvizhi (Keerthy Suresh) takes a stand against the imposition of the Hindi language.
Raghu Thatha Release Date, Trailor, Songs, Cast :-
Release Date | 15 August 2024 |
Language | Tamil |
Genre | Comedy, Drama |
Duration | 2h 14min |
Cast | Keerthy Suresh, M. S. Bhaskar, Ravindra Vijay, Chu Khoy Sheng, Rajeev Ravindranathan, Aadhira Pandilakshmi, Devadarshini, Rajesh Balakrishnan, Anandsamy |
Director | Suman Kumar |
Writer | Suman Kumar |
Cinematography | Yamini Yagnamurthy |
Music | Sean Roldan |
Producer | Suman Kumar |
Production | Hombale Films |
Certificate | U |
Raghu Thatha Review :-
With Raghu Thatha, writer Suman Kumar achieves a dual purpose in his debut directorial effort, successfully blending a low-key dramedy with a meaningful message film. Set in the late 1960s, during a period when the Indian government was compelled to reconsider its push for Hindi as the official language due to widespread anti-Hindi imposition protests, the film also reflects a time when young women were beginning to embrace the idea of self-independence, inspired by the progressive ideals of leaders like Periyar.
Set in the picturesque village of Valluvanpettai, Raghu Thatha follows Kayalvizhi (Keerthy Suresh), a fiercely independent bank employee who earned admiration for her stance against Hindi imposition during her student days and for thwarting the establishment of a Hindi prachar sabha. Her writings, published under the pseudonym Ka Pandian (a time when female authors faced limited readership), capture the attention of Tamilselvan (Ravindra Vijay), an engineer. Pressured by her family to marry, Kayal reluctantly agrees when her grandfather (MS Baaskar), her role model, reveals he has a terminal illness. Moved by Selva’s progressive ideals, she agrees to the marriage. However, she soon uncovers a truth that forces her to confront her principles: to protect her values, she must do the one thing she has long opposed—learn Hindi and take an exam.
The greatest strength of Raghu Thatha lies in its ability to address two significant themes—women empowerment and resistance to Hindi imposition—without becoming preachy. The writing stays focused on the protagonist’s story, avoiding didacticism, and the period setting and quirky tone give it a spirit reminiscent of Mundasupatti.
However, the film’s plot takes some time to gain momentum. The first half is largely dedicated to immersing viewers in the leisurely world of Valluvanpettai, where events unfold at a slow pace. There are moments when the direction seems aimless, as the narrative repeatedly circles around a limited cast of characters and a few locations. During these times, the film struggles to evoke the compelling comedy and drama necessary for a memorable theatrical experience, instead giving off a distinct ‘OTT watch’ vibe. The cinematography by Yamini Yagnamurthy and production design by Ramcharantej Labani, featuring a polished ad film aesthetic with soft lighting, pristine props, and tastefully designed costumes by Poornima and Shruthi Manjari, only enhance this impression.
Raghu Thatha Trailor :-
Fortunately, the film gains momentum in the second half, drawing us into Kayal’s struggles and ramping up both the humor and dramatic tension. From the moment Kayal begins her Hindi exam until the end, Suman Kumar (and editor TS Suresh) skillfully builds the comedy and suspense. The film adds a playful touch with elements like naming a character after himself, a visual gag involving a bald head reading out a mottai kadidasi, and a clever reference to a movie icon that concludes the story. While some character quirks, such as Kayal’s North Indian manager’s habit of misusing Tamil words, lose their charm over time, others remain delightful. For instance, Kayal’s sister-in-law, whose solution to every problem is to suggest running someone over with a lorry, is a standout. The actress portraying this role delivers a hilarious performance!
The cast delivers strong performances across the board. Keerthy Suresh imbues Kayal with a blend of star presence and innocence, making her character and her challenges both relatable and impactful without seeming overwhelming. When she delivers a pivotal line summarizing the film’s themes—”Dhideer nu vandha thinippu… kaalam kaalamaga nadandha kalachaaram”—it comes across as a genuine character moment rather than a preachy monologue. Ravindra Vijay, evoking a touch of early Prakash Raj, serves as an excellent counterpoint to Suresh’s performance, perfectly embodying the youthful spirit of the era.
Despite their roles being somewhat underdeveloped, MS Baaskar and Devadarshni bring significant gravitas to their characters with their commanding presence. Anand Sami also makes a notable impact as Rangu, the film’s secondary antagonist, though the writing falls short of fully leveraging his potential as a formidable threat, despite the ample screen time afforded to him.
The film’s greatest appeal lies in Suman Kumar’s light touch with a premise that could have easily veered into heavy drama. Credit also goes to composer Sean Roldan, whose lively score enables the director to handle even serious themes like cancer with a sense of effortless ease.
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