Thuppakki Munai movie review: A thriller sans thrill

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Thuppakki Munai movie cast: Vikram Prabhu, MS Bhaskar, Hansika Motwani
Thuppakki Munai movie director: Dinesh Selvaraj
Thuppakki Munai movie rating: 2 stars

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Thuppakki Munai is the second film of Dinesh Selvaraj, a former assistant of Mani Ratnam, whose previous outing was Naalu Perukku Nalladhunna Edhuvum Thappilla. I kind of liked the film because of its treatment and writing. This one, I would say, wasnt disappointing. At the same time, we werent offered anything particularly great — in terms of content or execution.

Vikram Prabhu plays Birla Bose, a Mumbai-based encounter specialist, who shot 32 criminals dead. His name sounds more interesting than the actual character. But we dont know why Dinesh Selvaraj named him so.

The film opens with the backstory of who Birla Bose is. This serious encounter specialist is shown walking into a ladies toilet to nab the accused. (He doesnt do it on purpose, mind you!) Bose meets Mythili (Hansika) again. A few minutes later, he proposes to her. Their “love episode” makes it to the headlines apparently. Because that is how (the director) thinks it is. Thankfully, there are no “cute romantic songs” in between.

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I wish Dinesh had thought Mythilis character was equally important to the film. I think he forgot her completely while writing the script.

On the other hand, the protagonists mother calls him a murderer because he kills people mercilessly. Bose (read Vikram Prabhu) neither cries nor shows emotions on the face. But he believes every bullet he fires bear his name. (Commercial cinema, no? Thus!)

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Bose gets suspended but joins the duty on request to trap Azad, a Bihari Maoist (Mirchy Sha), who is allegedly accused of raping a minor girl in Rameswaram. What happens eventually forms the rest of the story.

Though Thuppakki Munai attempts to discuss child rape and the situation of migrant workers, Dineshs thoughts fail to translate on to the screen. (I am sure it must have been convincing on paper.) The director appeals to “legalise prostitution” towards the end. So, if it is legalised, the reported rape cases will drop? I dont know. I really dont know.

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All I want to tell Dinesh is a good message doesnt mean a good film. In one of the scenes, Bose lectures a guy “not to take a woman to deserted places”, so that the couple doesnt invite trouble. Enough of the moral science classes already!

But MS Bhaskar was terrific as a doting father. Thuppakki Munai would have made for an engaging watch if Dinesh had explored more the angle of migrant labourers, their lifestyle and so on.

Original Article