Lal Salaam Movie Review; Rajini Excels, Aishwaryaa’s Direction Falters

Lal Salaam is a noble movie, but falls short in execution. Rajinikanth's star power is appreciated, but Aishwaryaa's direction could have been improved with crisper editing.

Gist of the Story

In Tamil Nadu, a religious conflict arises between the Hindu and Muslim residents of a village due to a competition between two local cricket teams.

Detailed Plot

Since they were little children, Thiru (Vishnu Vishal) and Moideen bhai’s (Rajinikanth) son Shamsuddin (Vikranth) have been competitors, and this rivalry extends to their village’s cricket pitch. Thiru and Shamsu played for the Three Star squad, which Moideen bhai founded. Thiru was kicked from the team by those who were envious of his success and had other agendas. The opposing MCC squad, formed by Thiru, ends up representing the two religions in the village—Hindus and Muslims. The hamlet, which had previously lived in harmony, ends up calling the matches India versus. Pakistan.

Currently, Shamsu is an exceptional cricket player, and Moideen bhai dreams of seeing him play for India. He and his family currently reside in Mumbai. However, Thiru and Shamsu’s lives take a drastic turn when they play a match in the village. What is the fate of the two men? Is Shamsu finally an Indian player? Does Moideen bhai resolve the competition between the boys and the Muslim-Hindu tension in the village?

Artistes’ Performances

Notwithstanding the restrictions of the movie, Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth provide exceptional performances in Lal Salaam, bringing their characters to life. Thirunaavukkarasu (Thiru) is portrayed by Vishal with brilliance; he captures his inner turmoil and fragility under mounting pressures, making viewers sympathetic to his difficulties despite the inconsistent pacing. Similar to this, Vikranth deftly handles the complexity of Shamsuddin (Samsu), capturing with nuance the constraints of society surrounding religious differences as well as family goals.

It’s good to watch Superstar Rajinikanth play a character-driven part after all these years, and he did a great job. Even if there are plenty of fan-focused moments, the movie keeps him as the main character to get its point out.

Direction / Technical Side

In “Lal Salaam,” directed by Aishwaryaa R. Dhanush, a Tamil Nadu village’s local cricket teams serve as the setting for a story on social peace. Although there is merit to the film’s topics, there is yet space for growth in its implementation.

What Works:

Rajinikanth’s Swag: There’s no denying the superstar’s charm. His interpretation of Moideen Bhai gives the story more substance. Noble Message: “Lal Salaam” emphasizes harmony and understanding while confronting religious differences head-on.

Problems:

Long Runtime: Although at times touching, the unedited sequences in the movie seem to go on too long. The story would have benefited from a more focused editing. Conflict Resolution: The movie’s politics are admirable, but the conclusion is too simple. It seems more convenient than well-considered. It is impossible to take the movie seriously because it takes itself too seriously, even if horrible things are occurring and we are meant to care about the people. With the exception of Moideen Bhai, the personification of morality in a society where those who value honor and the downtrodden are split, the characters are so shallow that the majority of them live just to cry, feel terrible, or make other people feel bad.

Verdict;

If movies are just to serve as noble messengers, then “Lal Salaam” is a winner. Cinema, however, falls short of perfection if it tries for anything more than pleasure. Although Rajinikanth’s contribution gives the movie more star power, he shouldn’t bear all of the responsibility for its success. The picture may have been a stronger contender if Aishwaryaa’s directing had been more disciplined.

⭐⭐

Rating: 2 out of 5.