Cowboys in 17th Century India?

Aku memang terliur nak tengok filem ni. Filem parody memang I like! Aku dah terbayang aku mengekek ketawa tengok alternate version koboi ni. Seriously, sape-sape dah tengok tolonglah rebiu sekali.

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NOW SHOWING

IRUMBU KOHTAI MURATTU SINGAM (Tamil)
Directed by Chimbudevan
Starring Raghava Lawrence, Lakshmi Rai, Padmapriya, Sandhya, Nasser, Saikumar, M.S. Bhaskar, Mouli, Ilavarasu, Ramesh Kanna, Vaiyapuri, Senthil, Manorama, Chams

THIS movie is noteworthy because the producer and director have dared to break new ground.

The story has the premise that cowboys and Red Indians existed in Tamil Nadu in the 17th Century. You have to believe that this is remotely possible to better enjoy this film and its bizarre humour.

Cowboy Singaram (Lawrence) is saved from the noose in the nick of time by a group of people who wants him to stand in for fast gun Murattu Singam (Lawrence), whom he resembles closely.

Murattu had struck terror in the hearts of the bad guys and protected his town from them. But he has disappeared and Singaram’s rescuers believe that Singaram can take his place and restore order to the region.

So Singaram, who can hardly hold a gun, is pitted against the town’s main enemy, one-eyed Kattai (Nasser) and his henchman Ulakkai (Saikumar).

Also thrown into the story are some cowboys and an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunter. Chimbudevan pays homage to yesteryear cinema heroes and villains such as M.G.R., Jaishankar, Major Sunderajan and Asogan by naming towns and places after them. There are also references to Amitabh Bachchan and even Indiana Jones, which were unnecessary as they have no place in a 17th Century story.

For the song and dance sequences, sexy actresses Lakshmi Rai, Padmapriya and Sandhya take turns to dance with the hero.

The biggest drawback is that it does not boast a top-rated actor or comedian. If Chimbudevan wanted a bigger box-office draw, he should have cast Vadivelu or Vivek in place of Lawrence, who is more well known as a choreographer than actor.

But Lawrence has done a good job of it. In fact, it is a credit to the director that the cast has made an enjoyable film. Look out for Chaams, who plays interpreter to Red Indian chief M.S. Bhaskar, as he is hilarious. Cinematographer Alagappan’s work, the grand costumes and computer graphics make the movie realistic. But it is a pity that none of G.V. Prakash’s songs stands out.

Nearly four decades ago, director Karnan attempted Tamil cowboy movie, Ganga, with Jayasankar as hero, but that had a serious plot.

This latest effort from Chimbudevan (known for his comedies such as Imsai Arasan 23nam Pulikesi and Arai Enn 305-il Kadavul) manages to draw the laughs despite the laughable idea of cowboys in India.

Read more: Showbiz: Cowboys in 17th Century India? http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/CINEMA_Cowboysin17thCenturyIndia_/Article#ixzz0oQIJECuw