 After playing a tough advocate in crime-thriller ‘Ellam Avan Seyal’, RK has taken the so-called commercial route in his next ‘Azhagar Malai’. Directed by S P Rajakumar, the movie has a story that is as old as a hill. But what is striking is the manner in which the filmmaker has narrated it.
In a nutshell, the film is about a wayward youth in a village, who cares a damn about others and spends his time drinking. An incident changes his life and he treads a new path until he goes on a revenge mode to teach a lesson to evil elements.
RK hogs the limelight playing the male protagonist in the movie. Unlike his previous film, he dances, tries his hand at humour and romances the heroine. He carries himself well on screen. Bhanu, who plays RK’s ladylove in the film, seems to have shed considerable weight.
The movie is set in a village near Madurai. Pughazhendi (RK) spends all his time drinking and is ridiculed by villagers. In contrast, his elder brother Pandithurai (Nepolean) is respected and admired by everyone.
Pandithurai showers love and affection on Pughazh. He even tries to arrange for his wedding hoping that he would reform. But knowing about Pughazh and his habits, nobody comes forward to give their daughter to him.
 Pughazh who spends all his time with his maternal uncle Kaththamuthu (Vadivelu) comes across Janani (Bhanu). It’s love at first sight for him.
Meanwhile, the family of Rathnavelu (Lal), another powerful man in the village, is hellbent on revenging Pandithurai and his family due to previous enmity. They hatch a conspiracy and try to halt the wedding of Pughazh and Janani.
Cut to flashback and the reason for ill-feeling between two families is revealed. It is now up to Pughazh to bump off Rathnavelu and restore peace in his family.
If RK is the hero of the movie so is Vadivelu. He sets the screen on fire with his typical one-liners and comedy dialogues. He evokes laughter whenever he appears on screen. A song with Sona is funny to watch. Nepolean, Lal and Manivannan play their part exceedingly well. Ranjitha appears in a guest role.
Music by Illayaraja is the soul to the movie. He also appears for a song. Karuka Mani is a pleasant one of the lot. Produced by Sangili Murugan, ‘Azhagar Malai’, though has a cliched storyline and oft-repeated flash back, is interesting to watch to if one like a thorough entertainer.
Azhagar Malai - Highrise
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