SAKKA PODU PODU RAJA

Santhanam's Sakka Podu Podu Raja, carrying a big star cast of comedy actors, including Vivek, Robo Shankar, VTV Ganesh, with music by STR, has released today. Let us get on to the review with no more delay.
 

SPPR is all about the gameplay by Santa (Santhanam) to win the heart of his lover's family, with the help of his sidekicks, who include VTV Ganesh, Vivek, Vaibhavi, Dr. Sethu, and others. Does he win his mission? Watch the film to know more.

Santhanam is a misfit in the lead role - he doesn't convincingly suit the bill. Known for his casual performance, which is actually missing in this film, he looks artificial. Vaibhavi Shandilya is used as a glam doll. Vivek's comedies work only in selective places and test our patience at most times. Robo Shankar and VTV Ganesh's humour and dialogue delivery might be enjoyed by a section of the audience. Sampath’s characterization is very weak. Powerstar Srinivasan appears only in two scenes, but he seems to have fulfilled the expectations set for him.

The film doesn't offer anything new for the audience, and even the comedies look very old-fashioned with done and dusted counter dialogues. The hero falls in love with the heroine at the first sight, then a song follows suit, then comes the villain introduction, and the proceedings follow further, as expected.

Both Santhanam's build up scenes and the unnecessary stunts do not supplement the film and alienate the audience from the movie. Usually, in a film of this kind, though we can predict the story, we would be entertained by the comedy scenes. But, in SPPR, there are no such hilarious moments. Also, we can predict the next scene each time, which doesn’t make the game interesting or funny. 

The song placements are also a major worry. The screenplay succumbs to too many commercial and masala compromises - and it is disappointing. Even with a stalwart of comedy actors, the film miserably fails to make people laugh. One of the heroine's dialogues goes like, “Two piece pottu epdi avana piece piece ah odaikren paaru”. This is an example of how the film has been treated.

On the technical front, the film stands average, with good visuals from Abinandhan and decent cuts from Anthony. Unlike the songs, STR's background music lacks the punch. Had the film been made without any exaggeration or force-fitted comedy, it would have passed off as a time pass entertainer. Unluckily, the film fails to convey its intention and purpose.

G.L.Sethuraman’s writing could have been way more satisfactory, to convince the general audience, and the dialogues could have been written in such a way they connect to it.

Kalakku Machaan
Singer: Anirudh Ravichander
Lyrics: Rokesh

Kalakku Machaan was the first released song of STR's music-making career, and it features as vocalist one of the top music directors of Tamil cinema, Anirudh. A song aimed at entertaining the masses, Kalakku Machaan works as a good intro song not just for Santhanam, but also for STR.

Kadhal Devathai 
Singer: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Lyrics: Vairamuthu

Kadhal Devathai is the other song from STR's debut album that we got to listen a good while ago. Yuvan Shankar Raja, another musical giant in the industry, sings to lyrics by Vairamuthu which are.. surprisingly Tanglish and quirky for the master songwriter. The song is interesting, but might be a tad too long, given its party number feel.
 

Unakkaga  
Singers: Leon James, Dr. Burn, Andrea Jeremiah
Lyrics: Dr. Burn, Vignesh ShivN
 

Unakkaga starts off fresh, and thanks to the vocals of Leon James and Dr. Burn, as well as a saxophone piece, remains fresh and power-packed throughout. For one, it makes us doubt whether this is the first album of the star actor, as the energy throughout this song is well maintained.
 

Siru Siru
Singers: Keerthana Vaidyanathan, Vasudev Krishna
Lyrics: Karunakaran
 

Siru Siru's fusion of Carnatic tunes and string harmonies reminds of few classic hits but is unique and impactful in its own right. Love and other emotions flow high, and it seems like the song will mark an important point in the film. Unexpected, but a pleasant surprisingly mature and intense number!

Vaa Munimma
Singers: Usha Rajendar, T. Rajendar
Lyrics: Madhan Karky
 

You'll start off partying and dancing to Vaa Munimma's house music and suddenly find yourself kuthu-dancing in the middle. The EDM sounds dominate the song and TR has been used well by his talented son.