'Chandramukhi 2', produced by Lyca Productions, was released in theatres today (September 28). In this section, we are going to review the latest box-office release.
Story:
In the 2005 film 'Chandramukhi', Jyothika's Ganga was possessed by the ghost Chandramukhi in the mansion where she and her family lived. The film told us the backstory of Chandramukhi and the evil king Vettaiyan Raja, whose blood she bayed as a ghost. It ended with Chandramukhi believing that Vettaiyan was burnt alive.
In the above film, Chandramukhi possessed Ganga. In 'Chandramukhi 2', Chandramukhi herself makes a return - an uninvited return.
The story is set in the same mansion which is now inhabited by Radhika Sarathkumar's joint family. Raghava Lawrence, the guardian of Radhika's grandkids, enters the mansion and finds it strange that its owner (Vadivelu) doesn't want the inmates to enter the southernmost room. When a Nayanthara-like character (Mahima Nambiar) enters the room out of curiosity, strange things start happening in the haunted bungalow. Eventually, Chandramukhi comes back roaring and her agenda is pretty much predictable.
Performances:
Raghava Lawrence's acting style is stuck in a time warp. He fails to bring a sense of dread to the table. Kangana Ranaut, who was fab in 'Thalaivi', plays one of the least scary ghosts of all time. Her performance is slightly better than that of the CG-created animals and reptiles on display. Sorry!
Vadivelu was probably given the script of the 2005 movie and was asked to enact those scenes all over again. Rao Ramesh and others are boring and sometimes laughable. Srushti Dange is somewhat better among the supporting cast.
Technical aspects:
MM Keeravani's background score is pathetic. Already, the film's scenes, echoes and aesthetics are reminiscent of 'Chandramukhi'. Only a novel BGM could have saved some scenes from totally sinking. RD Rajasekar's cinematography competes with Thota Tharrani's art direction to flatten the impact.
Ravi Varma, Kanal Kannan, Stunt Siva, and Om Prakash have taken care of the stunts, which this reviewer frankly doesn't remember. Mere physical and muscular movement doesn't count for action. Sorry!
Post-Mortem:
The most terrible part of watching 'Chandramukhi 2' is not its predictability. It is that you curse your ability to predict what is going to happen next. You wish you didn't possess the ability to make predictions.
The flashback dating back centuries shows how Chandramukhi's tryst with a king ended in disaster. The sad part about the backstory is that it was not needed. If you have watched the film's 2005 predecessor three times (most movie-lovers must have watched it more than thrice), you would have imagined the story already and your imagination is most likely superior to what 'Chandramukhi 2' shows.
The scenes between Lawrence and Vadivelu are redundant. They strictly, diligently and literally follow the template of the Rajinikanth-Vadivelu track from the predecessor film.
Wait, the more atrocious thing is yet to come!
Even the screenplay detailing Chandramukhi's attempt at revenge follows the 17-year-old template of the predecessor film. What was the point of making 'Chandramukhi 2' then?
Kangana Ranaut makes a belated entry. Not a single moment involving her holds tension. Again, that's not because of how predictable the story is. That's because of how literally and zealously the film follows the template of its 17-year-old predecessor.
Closing Remarks:
'Chandramukhi 2' is half-baked and amateurish. It's shocking that Lyca Productions, one of the richest banners in the country, has made a silly copy of a copy of a copy.
