Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi wins the election
After playing the comedian in several movies like Naanum Rowdythaan, Devi, Thaanaa Sendha Koottam, Radio Jockey turned actor RJ Balaji has taken the avatar of a full-fledged hero in the political satire LKG, directed by debutant Prabu, and costarring Priya Anand, JK Ritheesh and politician Nanjil Sampath. Let's see what LKG has in store.
Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi aka LKG (RJ Balaji) is a ward councilor in Lalgudi, and the son of a failed politician Azhagu Meiyappan (Nanjil Sampath). He aspires to turn big in politics unlike his father and indulges in all crooked ways to earn the faith of people. LKG decides to take the big leap in state politics making use of a political situation, and with the help of a poll campaign lead by Sarala (Priya Anand), gets attention and is proposed as a candidate for bye-election, but faces opposition from Ramraj Pandian (JK Ritheesh). What happened to LKG, and whether he was able to overpower the mighty and influential Ramraj Pandian and reached his dream throne is what LKG is all about.
RJ Balaji as LKG, scores in humor and displays variations in several episodes, with his mellowed down act, though his loud dialogue delivery in most sequences could have been avoided. Priya Anand as poll campaign planner Sarala looks every inch a corporate strategist and is perfectly cast, though the role doesn't have any emotional angle.JK Ritheesh as the confident politician whose base is shaken, though arrives with a heavy buildup, fizzles out sooner. Nanjil Sampath as the failed politician with a concern for his son, Ramkumar as Bojappan and Mayilsamy are adequate. The rest of the cast including Santhana Bharathi and Manobala do not get much scope.
LKG begins with an interesting sequence, and enters flashback mode and presents the crooked ways councilor Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi aka LKG uses to gain people's support in his ward in a fun way. As Priya Anand enters as Sarala, the campaign sequences look unrealistic and silly, though the interval block sets the tone for an interesting second half, as political challenge begins for LKG. The political references in the first half are sure to offer fun, as RJ Balaji scores.
The second half of LKG proceeds to the plans LKG hatches against Ramraj Pandian. Though the ideas he deploys sound regressive (with some crass sequences on the gender angle), and LKG's meteoric rise to the ultimate throne is shown without much emphasis on logic, LKG ends on a good note, with a message as well.
Background score by Leon James matches the fun flavor of the movie, and of the songs, Ethanai Kaalam thaan Aemaatruvaar is hum-worthy. Cinematography by Vidhu Ayyana is good, while editing by Antony could have been taut, as several sequences in the second half are extended more than required.
Debutant director Prabhu has opted for a political entertainer, focusing on a protagonist who aspires to make it big in politics, and with RJ Balaji playing the central character focuses well on his strengths. Though RJ Balaji's limitations with emotions are exposed, he compensates for the same with his humour whenever there's an opportunity. While the first half of the movie progresses at a brisk pace(barring the Delhi song which could have been chopped off) with the entertaining ways of LKG to make believe him, and his partnering with the campaign team, the second half starts on a slightly dull note, with several plans LKG uses against Pandian being crass. Keeping that and the lack of logic in LKG's victory aside, the movie culminates well, and the director delivers a much-needed message. With Balaji's humour, Prabhu's fun-filled take on current political moments in state and centre, an engaging screenplay and a crisp runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes, LKG is an entertainer that deserves a watch.
Verdict: Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi wins the election!
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