Kalvan Cast: G. V. Prakash Kumar, Bharathiraja, Dheena , Ivana, G. Gnanasambandam, Cheranraj, Vinodh Munna
Crew:
Cinematography by P. V. Shankar
Edited by San Lokesh
Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar, Revaa
Produced by G. Dilli Babu
Written & Directed by P. V. Shankar
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
Kalvan Movie Rating: 1.5/5
G.V. Prakash Kumar has been looking to prove himself as a bankable actor while his music has been gaining him awards and rewards. He has been trying different scripts from regular and also that suit him. Actress Ivana debuted in Tamil Film Industry with Naachiyaar besides G.V. Prakash. Movie gained huge critical acclaim for both the leads performances. Now, they are back together for the movie Kalvan. With a theme of elephant tusks or ivory poaching, film looks different from regular. Let’s discuss about it in detail.
Plot:
Kemban(G.V. Prakash Kumar) and his friend Soori(Dheena) dream about joining Forest Department. Well, being orphans, they turn to small time burglaries to survive in the villages around the forest. An official asks them for Rs.2 Lakhs as bribe and they come up with a plan to receive the money. They plan to adopt an orphaned old man from an old age home and find, Bharathiraja. They plan to instigate an elephant herd and make them attack this old man for compensation from Forest Department. Also, Kemban falls in love with Balamani(Ivana). What happens to their plan and his love? Watch the movie to know more.
Analysis:
G.V. Prakash Kumar has a very limited capability as an actor and he seems to be pushing hard to improve himself. At least, this film feels like that. He tried hard to play the small time thief hailing from tribal areas but looks unconvincing. On the other hand, comedian Dheena and legendary director-actor Bharathiraja try hard to sell the part they have been offered. Ivana looks fine in her role but she doesn’t have much to contribute to the film. Kalvan could have been a better film representing greed among people that forces many to take wrong and easy short-cuts.
In trying to make to every scene interesting and action filled, director doesn’t really manage to engage us in the proceedings. Movie keeps going on and on about one small incident. It almost feels like the inevitable has been dragged too much as the previous scenes never bring even a chuckle to our face even after trying so hard. Such films need a screenplay that keeps building on the complexity of the lead character to commit the crime, he has set out to. Rather this one keeps wavering into unnecessary territories of drag and the sluggish narrative makes even more harder to watch.
Director seems to have taken loads of inspiration from Tamil classical movies that took a small plotline and delivered riveting thrillers. But here he appears and uncommitted about making a realistic drama or thriller. It tries to be almost everything and that brings down the movie big time. Kalvan could have been much better study about greed and helplessness behind a criminal act by naive people. It could have been about how society and even government can push some people into darker criminal world with pure ruthless greed. Yet, it just happens to be a ridiculous take on with all the big concepts not coming together in execution.
Positives:
Two songs are good
Scenes featuring elephant executed well enough
Dheena and Bharathiraja performances
Negatives:
Weak Screenplay
Too old school execution
Repetitive scenes and dialogues
Kalvan Movie Bottom-line: Too Thin and over dragged!
