Lal Salaam Movie Review: Lal Salaam, the highly anticipated film starring Rajinikanth, Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth, released in theatres on February 9, 2024. The film, written and directed by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, is a sports drama that deals with the theme of religious harmony and humanity.
Plot and theme
The film is set in a village in Tamil Nadu, where two local cricket teams, one Hindu and one Muslim, compete for the annual trophy. Rajinikanth plays Moideen Bhai, a respected Muslim elder who runs a biryani shop and loves cricket. He is the father of Vikranth, who is the captain of the Muslim team. Vishnu Vishal plays Raja, a Hindu youth who is the captain of the Hindu team and the son of Thambi Ramaiah, a politician who stokes communal tensions for his own gain. The film shows how the cricket rivalry escalates into a violent conflict between the two communities, and how Moideen Bhai tries to restore peace and harmony with the help of Raja and his daughter Ananthika Sanilkumar, who is a journalist.
Performance and direction
The film’s biggest attraction is Rajinikanth, who delivers a powerful performance as Moideen Bhai. He brings his charisma and charm to the role, and also showcases his emotional range and maturity. He is ably supported by Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth, who play their roles with conviction and sincerity. Thambi Ramaiah, Vivek Prasanna and Thangadurai provide comic relief, while Ananthika Sanilkumar makes a decent debut as the female lead. Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, who made her directorial debut with 3, shows her skill in handling a complex subject with sensitivity and subtlety. She also infuses the film with tender moments and humour, and avoids preaching or melodrama.
Music and cinematography
The film’s music is composed by AR Rahman, who delivers a soulful and catchy soundtrack. The songs are well-picturised and suit the mood and tone of the film. The background score is also effective and enhances the impact of the scenes. The cinematography by Vishnu Rangasamy is impressive and captures the rural setting and the cricket action with finesse. The editing by Praveen KL is crisp and keeps the film’s pace steady.
Reception and verdict
The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audience alike. Some have praised the film for its message, performance and direction, while others have criticised it for its length, predictability and lack of nuance. The film has also sparked a controversy for its portrayal of the Hindu-Muslim divide and the role of politics in it. The film has opened to a good response at the box office, thanks to the star power of Rajinikanth and the positive word-of-mouth from his fans. The film is expected to do well in the coming days, especially in the rural areas where the film’s theme resonates with the audience.
Lal Salaam is a film that tries to convey a relevant and important message in an entertaining and engaging manner. It is not a flawless film, but it is a sincere and commendable effort by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth and her team. It is also a film that showcases Rajinikanth’s versatility and charisma as an actor. Lal Salaam is a film that deserves a watch for its noble intention and its star appeal.
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