Director: Selva Sekaran
Cast: Vikranth, Arthana Binu, Pasupathi, Kishore, Soori
It’s a season of sequels in K’town. And here comes part 2 of the 2009 sports drama Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu directed by debutant Suseenthiran, which was critically acclaimed for its fresh approach and lively narration with all new faces. Did VKK2, helmed by Susee’s ward Selva Sekaran, live up to the expectations?
Set in late 80s in rural Tamil Nadu, Saravanan (Vikranth) runs a musical shop and is at loggerheads with dad Saamy (Pasupathy) a bus driver whom he feels is irresponsible spending money in kabbadi matches. A stage comes when his mom (Anupama Kumar) narrates the story as to why they left their hometown and how his dad was once a big kabbadi player. Saravanan has now made up his mind to bring back his dad’s lost glory.
He leaves his native only to learn kabbadi and gets trained well, thanks to his coach (Kishore). Now, the old disbanded Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu team replete with all others (Soori, Appu Kuuty, Nishanth) gets ready for the tournament. Then there’s this insipid romantic track between Saravana and Malar (Arthana Binu). How Saravanan redeems his dad’s lost pride forms the rest.
Vikranth looks fit and does a decent job. The ever-dependent Pasupathi once again proves his versatility. Kishore and Soori do their part well. The entire first half is lackluster in the romance and the cursory scenes in Saamy’s household. The film picks up some momentum only in the second half. The major problem with the film is the predictability factor and hence there are no real twists and turns. The well written portions involving father-son doting relationship is admirable. The much-hyped final kabbadi match fails to evoke the kind of tension that is normally associated with such sports tournaments. Music by Selva Ganesh is passable.
