Soul and social justice
“Marutham”
– Review
Kanniyappan (Vidharth), a hardworking farmer in Ranipet district whose tranquil life is brutally shattered when his ancestral land is mysteriously auctioned over a fraudulent, unpaid loan he never took.
What begins as a personal crisis quickly transforms into a thrilling, tense investigation into a deep-seated conspiracy involving land sharks and corrupt officials.
V. Gajendran’s directorial vision is astonishingly assured. For a debut, he treats the social subject matter with profound respect, ensuring the film remains authentic and grounded in rural reality.
The screenplay masterfully balances the emotional stakes of a family losing its heritage with the almost procedural fight for justice.
The core strength lies in its sharp dialogue and unflinching depiction of systemic corruption, offering a powerful wake-up call without resorting to excessive melodrama.
Vidharth delivers a career-defining, sensational performance as Kanniyappan.
His transformation from a naive victim to a determined crusader is seamless and deeply moving. He carries the film’s emotional weight with raw, understated power.
Rakshana, as his partner, provides essential emotional ballast, portraying strength and vulnerability in equal measure.
Aruldoss is chillingly effective as the antagonist, embodying the corporate menace threatening the agricultural core of the region.
Arul K. Somasundaram’s cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the sun-drenched beauty and stark reality of the rural landscape with an artist’s eye.
N. R. Raghunandhan’s music is soulful and background score enhances the tension in the emotional moments.