movie review - SINGAM

Cop stories doesn't necessarily mean the hero bashing goons, mouthing punch dialogue or standing stiff. The cop can be simple, straight forward and still accomplish his mission.

Filmmaker Hari and actor Suriya, who come together after 'Aaru' and 'Vel', have laced 'Singam', Suriya's 25th movie, with such events that sustain the attention of masses all through. Both have a major responsibility on their shoulders as their earlier cop stories ('Samy' and 'Kaakha Kaakha' respectively) did raise the bar in Kollywood. 'Singam', which sounds a masculine title, is a pukka commercial entertainer.

Though the story may sound similar to many mass masala movies before, Hari's pacy treatment to the screenplay and Suriya's screen presence gives necessary pep.

A collage of action, song, romance and comedy at right mix has always been a safe bet. With Suriya at the helm of affairs, the commercial cocktail straightaway sticks to our heart. The movie comes with a huge star cast as in any of the Hari film before.

Besides Suriya, it has Anushka, Vivek, Prakash Raj, Nasser, Sumitha, Manorama, Vijayakumar, Bose Venkat and 'Nizhalgal' Ravi to name a few in the cast.

The movie tells the tale of a simple and sincere police officer Duraisingam alias Singam (Suriya), a sub inspector in Nallur in Tuticorin district. He wants to run the family business - running a provision shop and convert it to a huge departmental store. But his father (Radha Ravi) fantasizes him to become a cop. He lives up to his father's words and becomes a sub-inspector in the local police station.

An amiable family, Singam lives at peace with everyone. Obviously their family is respected a lot in the village. Enters Kavya (Anushka), on a vacation to the village to her grandparents' house. She comes across Singam and his upright manner and righteous nature attracts her. It's romance between them.

There is 'Eatu' Erimalai (Vivek), who works as a head constable in the police station. Fate now enters in the form of Mayilvaganan (Prakash Raj), a dreaded baddie in Chennai who is into evil acts to make money. He is aided by his brother Vaikundan (Aadhi). He bumps off an old man in Nallur village when he denies parting with money demanded by him.

The old man was constructing a house in the village thanks to his sons' money from abroad. His death has severe repercussions as his sons shoot a mail on the death to the embassy. This leaves in the arrest of Mayivaganan, who manages to get a conditional bail that he has to appear at Nallur police station and sign everyday.

Mayilvaganan comes face to face with Singam and his upright ways increases his wrath. He uses his might to get Singam promoted as inspector and brings him to Chennai. It's now a cat and mouse game between Singam and Mayilvaganan.

Singam comes across another side of Mayilvaganan - that he runs a kidnap racket and gets away with ransom. By bringing to books the nasty side of Mayilvaganan, the Home Minister (Vijayakumar) promotes him as ACP –Anti Corruption Squad operations. Meanwhile Singam's chase begins. How he accomplishes his mission forms the climax to a movie that begins in Nallur, (TN) and ends in Nellore, (AP).

Its out-and-out Suiriya show. He plays a cop who is in total contrast to Anbu Selvan in 'Kaakha Kaakha'. If Anbu was stiff and serious, Singam is cool but furious. The latter is friendly and has strings in his culture. Suriya is flawless in his expressions and delivers his best body language.

Anushka is more than a regular heroine here. She romances with Suriya and got a few scenes to perform too. Prakash Raj is the scene-stealer back to do what he knows the best. He is menacing with his eyes and does a good role that he has done many a time before. Vivek as head constable evokes laughter.

Devi Sri Prasad's racy music is another highlight. His fast songs compliment the swift screenplay. Priyan's cinematography is cool and pleasant.

Due credit goes to Hari. The man in his 10th film has given a movie that has his stamp in the form of an entertaining and engrossing screenplay. Unlike his earlier films where there would be wild chase and men all over with aruvals, 'Singam' comes with a difference.

Produced by Gnanavel Raja and presented by Sun Pictures, 'Singam' is the king of the masses, who love action and commercial films.