Director: Mari Selvaraj

Karnan might seem like a familiar tale of struggle between the oppressor and oppressed, but Mari Selvaraj’s detailing makes the film feel unique and incomparable.

The K-town have witnessed so many stories that depicts a fight between the oppressed and the oppressor. Karnan is one such film, a rebel who keeps fighting for his village throughout the film. Mari Selvaraj’s most anticipated film, following his biggest hit Pariyerum Perumal is Dhanush starrer Karnan. Unlike Pariyan (Kathir), Karnan is seen rebellious and froward and hits back with a ferocity to match his aggressors.

Karnan opens with a shot of a girl suffering from fits lying on road helpless, buses keep moving both the sides of the road but not a single one stops and she dies. She is seen throughout the film with a goddess mask as ‘Kaatu Pechi’. Podiyankulam is a village, it lack bus facilities and people have to walk to the neighbouring village to get a bus with whom they have issues already. They have been denied basic rights, without access to transport people suffer for medical emergencies and education.

Karnan, a youngster is seen battling whenever they are been abused and brutalised. Initially, the villagepanchayat opposed him for his anger as this would aggravate the policemen and the neighbouring village people. But then, circumstances lead people to stand with Karnan and this transition is backed beautifully by the song ‘Uttradheenga Yeppov’. Podiyankulam’s battle with the policemen lead to number of loses, Karnan lost his Thathov YeamaRaja. With the saying, “This is a war to end all wars” Podiyankulam fought and the film ends with a victory dance.

Mari Selvaraj’s casting choices have proved impeccable. The actors have given justice to their characters, as always Dhanush aka Karnan has given a stellar performance. Padmini (Lakshmi Priya), Lal(Yeama Raja), SP Kannabiran (Natarajan Subramaniam) and Vadamaalaiyan (Yogi Babu) brought in the emotions so precisely.

Santhosh Narayanan’s music did its part, perfectly cementing each scene in place.

Overall the film reflects the pathetic reality and it is hard-hitting. The end seems satisfying!