LKG - movie review

Considering the school hunt situation, this movie couldn’t be more timely at least from title perspective for me. And considering the response to the movie, getting a LKG seat, both in school and also for this one, seems quite tough. The movie is what “Tamizh padam 2.0” failed to be -  a tongue in cheek satire. The movie achieved what “NOTA” movie couldn’t – keeping audience interested, even though content wise both are more or less same. They are candid camera attempts on the current political situation in TN, post the demise of J. But LKG goes one step extra and picks up on the comical side of those issues and I am pretty sure, they are immediately connecting with the audience. Where NOTA failed was, it was mere representation of the situation and it made it look like watching the same news reel on screen as well. But LKG pokes fun at the satirical aspects of those sorry scenarios. Be it floating thermocol to save water, J’s death related controversies, school admission situations and the power wielded by councilors everything has been ridiculed at expert level. It’s not just local politics that is mocked, even the role of corporate in the form of influencers (Cambridge analytica) are trolled mercilessly in the movie. The way the analytics firm, comes up with solutions to prop up Balaji’s profile on social media and his antics are unfortunately real life incidents and would make everyone think twice before believing news from social media. Especially, the way, Balaji protests against the disease that has inflicted his leader, having ran out of options to protest. Really LOL moment.
Balaji, the hero of the movie, more famous as Radio Jockey, already has his RJ title as his initials. Probably post the movie, he would be more identified for his role as well. He is responsible for the story and some assistance or probably owning the dialogues as well I guess and my word!! The dialogues are witty crisp and super sharp in many places. There is a scene where he encounters an home grown politician on his home turf, on a tussle for MLA seat. The senior politician, being super strong on his home turf, responds to a retort from Balaji, who makes a comment that even Kamarajar was defeated in elections by a newbie. For which the other guy responds that, Kamarajar might’ve lost the election but does anyone remember the name of the guy who won? Even in defeat, Kamarajar remains himself and even as a victor that other person will never be his equal. Such a long drawn translation, actually robs the sheen of that dialogue and scene. On screen, it would be like razor sharp. I would be really surprised if it was Balaji who has helmed the dialogue for this portion. Awesome attempt to whoever it was. Priya Anand has an equal length role as the hero. Looks all bloated and is treated like a central character rather than candy floss heroine. The scene where she teaches Balaji, the A,B,C,D of election politics would surely tingle everyone.

Gils verdict -  a laugh riot which unfortunately is an exact depiction of the current political situation. Can surely watch for a relaxed laugh and deep pondering as well, depending on which side of the political spectrum you belong to. Wonder, how come no political party protested against this movie. But it actually spares no party and pulls everyone’s leg. Probably if at all any protest had happened, it would’ve been the single unifying factor in our politics.