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Kollywood director Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s new film, Lal Salaam, featuring her father, Superstar Rajinikanth, in a special role, along with Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant as the main leads, is out in cinemas today. Read our review to know how it is.

Story:

The film’s story is set in Kasumuru village. Youngsters Guru (Vishnu Vishal) and Samshuddin (Vikrant) were once close friends until a tragic incident drove them apart, turning them into bitter rivals. Moideen Bhai (Rajinikanth), a textile businessman from Mumbai, has ties with Guru and his village. The plot unfolds smoothly until the villagers of Kasumuru face insults from another village. The subsequent events, the escalating severity of the conflict, Moideen Bhai’s involvement, and whether the youngsters manage to reconcile eventually are all elements of the story waiting to unfold on the big screen.

Plus Points:

Vishnu Vishal delivers a performance ideally suited to the character’s demands. The portrayal of the village ambiance and retro aesthetics is skillfully executed.

Vikrant’s performance is adequate, and Rajinikanth impresses with his mannerisms and select dialogues in the role of Vikrant’s father.

Jeevita Rajasekhar shines with her natural appearance, and the supporting cast performs adequately.

Minus Points:

The storyline and its sluggish screenplay are the glaring issues in Lal Salaam. The message Aishwarya Rajinikanth aims to convey is not novel, as it has already been seen in many old movies. As the director-screenwriter, Aishwarya could have urged her co-scriptwriter Vishnu Rangasamy to infuse more emotions that could have potentially enhanced the film’s overall impact.

The emotional scenes lack impact, and the absence of a compelling background score further diminishes their effectiveness.

The unfamiliar cast, coupled with the questionable dubbing choices and underwhelming performances, hampers the film’s connection.

Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s direction could have elevated certain scenes, and the inclusion of heroine Ananthika, Kapil Dev, and Nirosha adds little value to the narrative.

Technical Aspects:

Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s dual roles as screenplay writer and director fall short of delivering a captivating experience. The thin plot and sluggish pacing, particularly in the second half, test the audience’s patience.

While Pravin Baaskar’s editing and Vishnu Rangasamy’s cinematography are satisfactory, AR Rahman’s score fails to leave a lasting impression despite his reputation. Additionally, the film’s lengthy runtime diminishes the overall impact.

Verdict:

On the whole, Lal Salaam presents a lackluster and disappointing viewing experience, with the average performances by its lead actors as the main positives. The film’s shortcomings, including the subpar writing, sluggish pacing, and an underwhelming score, outweigh its strengths. Considering these factors, viewers are advised to find other entertainment options this weekend, as even Rajinikanth’s presence fails to salvage the film.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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