Sirai review: A skillfully made drama that leaves a lasting emotional impact
Rating: 3.5/5 Suyog Zore
Director Suresh Rajakumari's 'Sirai' defies conventional norms of a crime thriller and legal drama. Spanning 1998 to 2003, the narrative revolves around two central characters. One is Kathiravan, an honest police constable portrayed by Vikram Prabhu, who steadfastly upholds his duty. The film's opening scene depicts a prisoner attempting to escape while being transported to court, only to be shot down by Kathiravan. Subsequently, when summoned by an enquiry commission, Kathiravan, well-versed in the intricacies of the law and police department operations, unapologetically justifies his actions, positing that had he not shot the escaping prisoner, he would still be culpable for dereliction of duty.
The second pivotal character is Abdul, a prisoner played by LK Akshay Kumar, who has been incarcerated for murder. Abdul's youthful and innocent appearance belies his confession to the crime five years prior. Kathiravan and his team are tasked with escorting Abdul from Vellore prison to the Sivagangai court for a hearing. However, questions arise regarding Abdul's true nature: is he genuinely innocent or some cold-blooded killer masquerading behind an innocent facade? Furthermore, why does he request Kathiravan to remove his handcuffs upon arrival at the court? The screenplay, co-written by Tamizh and Suresh Rajakumari, provides answers to these questions through flashback sequences.
'Sirai' chronicles a one-night journey from Vellore to Sivaganai, exposing how minority culprits are presumed guilty until proven innocent. The film serves as a reflection of societal prejudices, demonstrating that even law enforcement and the justice system are not immune to biases. The movie begins on a promising note with Kathiravan shooting a prisoner, promptly triggering an inquiry. For the first forty minutes, the narrative progresses at a rapid pace. Due to the fast-paced screenplay and growing suspicion surrounding Abdul, some viewers may assume the film will follow a familiar pattern, similar to 'Kaithi' (2019), and quickly accelerate into high gear.
However, in the second act, the film's pace slows, shifting into second gear as it reveals the events of the past through extended flashback sequences. As the film discloses the truth about past events of Abdul that landed him in jail, a transformation in Kathiravan becomes evident over the course of this one-night journey. Alongside portraying Kathiravan's transformation, the writer-director highlights religious bigotry and the tendency for people to jump to conclusions when someone belongs to a minority group. In a brief yet powerful scene, Kathiravan's assistant police officer is questioned about carrying a loaded rifle, and the answer is obvious: it is because the accused is a Muslim.
The movie underscores the inadequacies of the legal system, which exacerbate the challenges faced by marginalized communities and low-income individuals. A girl named Kalai (Anishma Anilkumar) plays a vital role in facilitating the audience's understanding of Abdul's predicament. While the film sustains viewer engagement, the second half's melodramatic tone and slow-paced sluggish plot occasionally become overly sentimental. Additionally, the film lacks unexpected twists, as most plot points adhere to a predictable pattern. The phone conversation between Kathivaran and his wife also fails to achieve its intended effect. Fortunately, these scenes are concise due to the film's two-hour duration.
Vikram Prabhu's presence is instrumental in lending depth and impact to the film. He rises to the challenge, delivering a stellar understated performance. Anishma Anilkumar also shines alongside Vikram, offering a remarkable performance. LK Akshay Kumar, making his acting debut in 'Sirai', displays confidence and the necessary skills to play this character. The film's three songs are strategically placed. The cinematography is also noteworthy, particularly during nighttime outdoor scenes.
As the end credits for 'Sirai' begin to roll, it becomes apparent that despite some drawbacks, the film successfully creates a lasting emotional impact, achieving its primary goal.
Sirai is now streaming on Zee5
Cast: Vikram Prabhu, LK Akshay Kumar, Anishma Anilkumar, Ananda Thambirajah
Writers: Tamizh, Suresh Rajakumari
Director: Suresh Rajakumari
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