Poor writing and execution make Kulasami a tedious watch

Kulasamy Movie Review: Vemal’s Kulasami is a recent addition to Kollywood’s filmography that tackles the topic of sexual crimes against women and the abuse of power by men in authoritative positions. Although the film’s intentions and themes are noble, it fails to make an impact on the audience due to weak writing, amateur staging and a predictable screenplay.

The film opens with the death of a college student who is the victim of gang rape in the outskirts of Madurai. In the next scene, the investigating police officer apprehends one of the suspects involved in the heinous crime. However, before he can produce the accused in court, a mysterious man aided by a dog murders the suspect. Concurrently, we are introduced to Soora Sangu (Vemal), an auto-rickshaw driver, struggling to cope with personal loss, his late sister who aspired to become a medical practitioner. We are also acquainted with a notorious gang headed by a kingpin, who sexually exploits underprivileged girls enrolled in a private medical college.

The crux of the story revolves around what happened to Soora Sangu’s sister and who is responsible for the series of murders occurring in the area.

Kulasami endeavors to highlight the harsh realities of sexual abuse and exploitation of college students, but unfortunately, it falls short in execution. The film lacks originality, and the characters are one-dimensional, lacking depth, making it arduous for the audience to empathise with their struggles. There isn’t a single conflict in the film that compels us to invest our emotions in it. Although the subject matter is unsettling, most of the scenes and staging seem clichéd.

In the second half of the film, we are transported to Vemal’s past, where we discover the injustice his sister faced, and here we find it challenging to connect with the emotions portrayed, as the sequences are predictable. Because, we know from the outset what would happen.

The climax is typical of this genre, with the hero turning into a protector of sorts for many others. However, the background score and cinematography are decent and help elevate certain emotions in the film. Vemal’s performance is the only saving grace of the film, as he carries the film solely on his shoulders, albeit with limited success. Actors like Tanya Hope, Vinodhini Vaidyanadhan, and others have done justice to their roles.

Overall, Kulasami fails to tell a compelling story that resonates with the audience. For those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of crimes against women, the film’s lack of nuance and subtlety may prove disappointing.