“Jilla” directed by Neason, is another most anticipated movie of 2014 which brings together Superstar’s of Mollywood and Kollywood. Starring “The Complete Actor” Lt. Col. Mohanlal and “Ilaiyathalabathy” Vijay in lead, the movie released coinciding to the Pongal festival and competes with “Thala” Ajith’s “Veeram”.
It also has Kajal Agarwal, Nivetha Thomas, Mahat, Soori, and Sampath playing some pivotal roles. Films songs and background score was composed by D. Imman while Ganesh Rajavelu and Don Max took care of cinematography and editing respectively.
Sivan (Mohanlal) is a Don-like figure in Madurai who brings up Shakthi (Vijay), son of his driver who was killed by a cop while trying to save him. Sivan brings up him like his own son and has utmost affection and care towards him. Shakthi grows with hatred towards police and Khakhi dress. But later he is forced to join the police due to Sivan’s compulsion and to save his crime association.
But Shakthi turns against his father like figure due to some events and tries to stop his illegal activities and strives to make him a good person. Did he succeed in it? It forms the crux of the plot with some twists and turns.
The plot is just an ordinary one which may trigger thoughts of various other Tamil movies. Director Neason should have done enough homework to make the script racier and keep the audience engaging in a three-hour lengthy saga.
The main let down of the film is its mighty length. It drags a lot in both the first half and second half, testing our patience till the end. Trimming the movie by at least half an hour would have been better to make it more racy and engaging.
Mohanlal and Vijay are the backbone of the movie. The screen presence, charisma, mannerism of Mohanlal will leave us mesmerised. Vijay also gave some equal performances. Whether it is a comedy scene or action scene he gave some admirable performances. The mass duo Sivan-Shakthi worked out well and was really a treat to watch both the Superstar’s together on screen.
Kajal and others had nothing much to do onscreen. Soori’s comedy scenes were enjoyably. Others did her given job satisfactorily.
D. Imman’s song was another saving factor of the film. Nothing to say about the songs, you all know them as it topped the charts already. “Kandaangi Kandaangi” crooned by Vijay himself was a delight to watch in the big screen. Background score was exceptionally good. Especially the Chenda Melam music was extraordinary and the theme during Mohanlal’s appearance was just awesome.
Editing, as already said Don Max should have worked with Director to trim the movie excessively. Cinematography was pretty good.
Finally, Jilla has right mixtures need for a mass commercial entertainer, though its mighty length works against it, it may surely impress Mohanlal and Vijay’s hardcore devotees.
My Rating - 3/5
Grade - B (Worth a Watch!)
-By Nirmalraj aka AK