| Directed by | Balaji K. Kumar |
|---|---|
| Written by | Balaji K. Kumar |
| Starring | Vijay Antony Ritika Singh Meenakshi Chaudhary |
| Cinematography | Sivakumar Vijayan |
| Edited by | Selva RK |
| Music by | Girishh G. |
Gist of the Story
After realizing, what happened appears to be a mystery, a brilliant investigator launches an investigation into the death of a famous model.
Detailed Plot
Model and singer Laila (Meenakshi Chaudhary) wants to succeed in life. But at her place of residence, she is killed. An IPS officer named Sandhya Mohanraj (Ritika Singh) is given the task of figuring out who the murderer is and what motivated him to do the crime. To solve the crime, she turns to Vinayak (Vijay Antony), a former investigator. Laila’s perspective is used throughout the entire movie. Vinayak’s relationship with his wife and daughter, who is ill, is rocky. Overcoming his difficulties, he works diligently with Sandhya to try his best to identify the murderer using the available information at hand. With unwavering determination, he tirelessly puts in the effort, leaving no stone unturned, in order to bring justice to the unfortunate victim. Together, they form a formidable team, utilizing their combined skills and expertise to delve deep into the intricacies of the case, meticulously examining every clue and analyzing each piece of evidence.
Artistes’ Performances
As usual, Vijay Antony makes a subtle appearance; he can never ruin a movie with this subtle approach. His acting has a little room to grow in his daughter’s sensitive sequences, but overall, his presence is unmistakable. Meenakshi Chaudhary, who plays the lead role, was properly cast and performed admirably. Ritika Singh performed her part as a cop admirably, neither better nor worse. Although the supporting performers play a significant role, neither their performances nor their characterizations are particularly compelling.
Direction / Technical Side
In 2013, Vidiyum Munn marked Balaji Kumar’s amazing directorial debut. He returns with a movie ten years later. The finest aspect of “Kolai” is the fresh experience that the genre itself offers, which is expertly replicated by the film’s stunning photography and fantastic soundtrack. The creators’ intriguing notion has a lot of potential for a suspenseful whodunit. The ease with which a few people build up an alibi for themselves heightens the suspense around the narrative. Some of the passages are enhanced by the excellent production. Even if ‘Kolai’ contains a few intriguing concepts here and there, it is a soulless movie. The murder mystery doesn’t have enough substance to hold our interest. The writer’s brilliant notion to tie Vijay Antony’s personal loss and suffering to the case he’s looking into does help the screenplay become a little bit more potent. However, the second part drags on as the author keeps us waiting even after revealing who the murderer is. The killer’s past is also a little implausible and might have been written more skillfully.
Verdict;
The premise set up by the makers is intriguing and holds abundant potential for a captivating and suspenseful whodunit. The compromise made in the storytelling undermines the potential of the film, diminishing the thrills and excitement that one would expect from a murder mystery. Despite its intentions, the stylized treatment in ‘Kolai’ falls short of creating a lasting impression, leaving viewers craving a stronger emotional connection and a deeper sense of suspense.