Indrasena - Movie Review

'Indrasena', starring Vijay Antony in dual roles, hit the screens on November 30th.  Let's find out what works and what doesn't.

Story:

Indrasena (Vijay Antony) is sick and morose ever since he lost his lover (no separate track shown, thankfully).  Drinking compulsively, he shares a disturbed relationship with his parents, although his sentimental mother counts on him for being the elder brother 

Rudrasena (Vijay Antony, again) is a humble PET master in a school.  Unlike the bearded Indrasena, Rudra is clean.  Revathi (Diana Champika) falls for him and they are supposed to get married.  

This is when Indra, for the sake of his friend (played by Kaali Venkat), impersonates his brother and borrows Rs. 6 lacs from Rudra's fiance's father.  This episode turns out to be somewhat game-changing.  

After a brief sentimental lecture, Indra's heart melts.  He wants to give up drinking and lead the life of a responsible son.  Unfortunately for him, he accidentally causes the death of a stranger.  He is imprisoned for seven years.

Seven years later, the story reaches a shocking point.  Rudra is now a force to reckon with.  What happens now in the lives of the two brothers is what the second half is all about.

What works:

Director G Srinivasan's storyline is a bright spot.  The cinematic transformation of Rudra's character is the crux of the line, while Indra's flawed character is the icing on the cake.  

Indra's inability to overcome his limitations work at the level of writing.  He saves a woman from being raped, he takes risks for his friend, and, deep down, he wants to be a better human.  To make sure that the title is justified, two songs work to elevate his character.  

Dual role movies are not always predictable.  And the pre-interval twist that 'Indrasena' reveals is mildly (at least) exciting.

Like 'Yaman' and 'Bichchagadu', this film strictly sticks to the environment in which the characters are placed.  Goondas have to work with constraints at times.  And the police have their own logic behind their actions.  Such writing, rooted in reality, needs to be appreciated.  

What doesn't work:

A lot of things don't work actually.  It's all fine to showcase a PET teacher turning into someone colossal and earth-shaking, but when the audiences are not given an inkling of the things to come, it may seem unintelligent. 

The narration is somewhat complicated at times. 

The character of the usurious moneylender, a chairman, and that of Radharavi don't together put a strong show of antagonism.  It's not understandable how they all give way to a new set of characters (cops who are hell-bent on killing Rudra in avenging the death of their own member) in the climax.  The writer-director thought that only Indra and Rudra are the full-fledged characters and the rest of them come and go in their lives over several years.  But the climax loses impact because of the abrupt ending that the villains receive.

The rom-com track lacks the Telugu nativity.  As is the thing with a number of Kollywood films, the girl (Diana) takes the lead in trying to romantically coerce the guy into falling for her.  And Vijay seems to be like an alien in these portions.

At many places, the film seems to be too raw.  It's not like the director doesn't want to be filmi.  The interval block itself is too cinematic to be a true-to-life thing.  

The dialogues come with a strong Kollywood-esque odour.  

Performance score:

Vijay Antony's visage is adept for the colorless roles like Indra and Rudra.  So, he fits the bill and entertains fairly enough.  There is no typical song-and-dance routine with an exception.  Where there is a need to do comedy, the task is taken care of by others.  If Jewel Mary and Mahima are de-glamorous (and it's not a negative), Diana looks somewhat overweight.  

A talented artist like Radharavi is wasted in a rather jaded role.  Kaali Venkat passes muster.

Bottomline:

As far as the story is concerned, 'Indrasena' is quite a gripping product.  The characterizations are a mixed baggage.  Realistic elements give way to cinematic cunning!  The rather dull pace is jarring.