Kathavarayan

Kathavarayan is a Tamil film directed by Salangai Durai starring Karan, Vidisha and Radha. It released in 2008.

Plot

The film revolves around Kathavarayan (Karan), who sells illicit arrack in Hogenakkal. Though he is involved in arrack trade, he is a man with golden heart. Malathy (Vidisha), a student, comes to the village as part of her NSS project. She vows to end the arrack menace in the village and takes efforts to arrest Kathavarayan. Thanks to her efforts, Kathavarayan gets arrested and lodged in prison in Chennai.

Call it fate, Malathy is arrested for no fault of her in Chennai. Her efforts to expose drug-pedlers in Chennai backfires. They hatch a conspiracy and Malathy falls a prey to it. She gets arrested for possessing drugs and lands in prison.

Kathavarayan comes out of jail to avenge Malathy. But comes to know her real intentions and the trouble she is facing. He masterminds a plan and joins the gang selling drugs and eventually exposes them only to save Malathy.

Cast

• Karan as Kathavarayan
• Vidisha as Malathy
• Vadivelu as 'Kandhuvetti' Karuppu
• Radha

Production

The film was initially offered to Sibiraj, though his refusal meant that Karan was chosen to play the lead role.^[1]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by Srikanth Deva and lyrics were written by Snehan.^[2]

• Aasaiye Alai - Malathi, Srikanth Deva
• Kathavaraya - ANuradha Sriram
• Oru Haiku - Tippu, Chithra
• Oru Kaalai - Kalyana Menon
• POnguppa - Naveen, Saindhavi

Reception

The movie received mixed to negative reviews from critics

Sify wrote, "Karan's performance is loud and boorish, at times irritating with his Kovai Tamil. Radha definitely has a future as a glam girl while heroine Vidisha is earnest, but a poorly written role mars her chances. Ilavarasu, Kadhal Dhandapani are also there along with a sick comedy track of Vadivelu as a idiot moneylender who gets beaten up by all and sundry. There is nothing to hum about the music of Dheena."^[3]

Behindwoods wrote, "Kathavarayan is a small film made with good intentions and commercial compulsions. Its theme, being alien to urban audiences, may put the film out of favor with the A center audiences. But it does stand a chance in the smaller centers. The laughs provided by Vadivelu who keeps appearing in little doses throughout the movie is another positive and there are others like Ilavarasu and Muthukalai who do not create much of an impact. Kadhal Dandapaani does another stereotypical, loud mouthing baddie, nothing unexpected here. Debutant director Salangai Durai may not have made a dream debut but this start is not disappointing."^[4]

Indiaglitz wrote, "Karan has come up with a matured performance. He is good in dance and stunt sequence. His diction of the Kovai Tamil also deserve a special mention. Debutant Vidisha does a decent job. She plays her part well. Vadivelu plays a money-lender who lands in trouble for no fault of his. Salangai Durai deserve a pat for coming out with a strong message. But had he cut down on preaching, the movie would have been different."^[5]

Awards

Vadivelu won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for the film.

References