Silukkuvarpatti Singam Review: Vishnu Vishal stars in a disappointing comedy

Kollywood has made some terrific films in the recent past. But if there is one quality it also has, it is that it disguises violence, vulgarity, and obscenity, as a ‘U’ certified film and even promotes it as a ‘family film’. This week’s latest release Silukkuvarupatti Singam is a perfect example of this. After starring in the interesting thriller Ratsasan this year, Vishnu Vishal stars in a disappointing comedy.

Directed by Chella Ayyavu, the film features double-meaning dialogues, cringe-worthy rape-jokes, several scenes of men drinking alcohol – it doesn’t seem ‘family worthy’ at all! Take for instance the scene where voluptuous- looking women enter a police station and ask the police officer to keep their respective husbands in custody, as they feel safer that way. One woman says that after consuming alcohol every night, her husband comes back home to rape her. Imagine having an audience laugh for these ‘jokes’. Is this an indirect way of referencing the Indian law where marital rape isn’t considered a crime. Well, given the theme of the film, I don’t think it was intended with anything so strong. The audience erupted in laughter and applause the most after such dialogues.

In another scene, Cycle Shankar (Sai Ravi) and his men lust over who they assume to be a woman and chase her. They tell each other that it’s been a long time since they enjoyed the company of a woman and they decide to take her without her consent. This scene was meant as a comedy, but I don’t understand how one would possibly say ‘I can watch this with the family’. Keeping aside the terrible ‘comedy’ such as this, the film is also absurd right from the beginning. The hero, Sathyamoorthi (Vishnu Vishal) falls in love with a woman at first sight and she leads him on, this happens during a song. This isn’t something unfamiliar with but this is outdated and absurd. The item dance by Oviya too falls in the category.

What offers relief in this film is the genuine comic sequences that are wrapped in a potentially good comedy film. The story revolves around Sathyamoorthi, who mistakenly arrests Cycle Shankar (Sai Ravi). When the villain decides to avenge him, it results in a comedy of errors. The second half of the film promises good laughs as it features Sathyamoorthu trying to dodge the villain. Yogi Babu’s commentary on every move of the villain is hilarious. The performance of the supporting artists brings life to the dull scenes in the film.

Since the film doesn’t speak much about the background of the characters, the reason why they disregard their relatives or the reason behind their choices are unknown – it’s hard to follow their move or root for them. In terms of performances, Sai Ravi does a good performance as the villain, who is both menacing and considerate. Vishnu Vishal’s performance looked partly like he’s quite serious in a comedy film, but he does look convincing in the role. Regina Cassandra doesn’t have much to do, as the film doesn’t offer her a solid role. She is made to look like a fashionable teacher.

Silukkuvarupatti Singam did have some elements that could’ve made it a rib-tickling comedy but doesn’t quite manage to do. A crisper length, good writing, and a bit more clean humor could have done the job.