Directed by: Obeli N. Krishna
Starring: Silambarasan,Gautham Karthik,Gautham Vasudev Menon,Priya Bhavani Shankar,Anu Sithara,Teejay Arunasalam,Kalaiyarasan,Redin Kingsley
Cinematography: Farook J. Basha
Edited by: Praveen K. L.
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Production
companies :Studio Green, Pen Studios
Release date: 30 March 2023
Language: Tamil

Pathu Thala s a Tamil-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Obeli N. Krishna. The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Silambarasan, Gautham Karthik, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Anu Sithara, Teejay Arunasalam, Kalaiyarasan and Redin Kingsley. It is an adaptation of the 2017 Kannada film, Mufti.

What works

Pathu Thala is a multi-starrer aimed at fans of the lead actor. Though Gautam Karthik is present from start to finish, Silambarasan’s aura becomes the focal point of Pathu Thala. These two actors are in a film that blurs the line between good and evil. Despite the fact that Silambarasan as AGR enters the picture at the intermission, he gives a commendable performance. With a significant role, the star never fails to capture the attention of the audience.

The story is set in Kanyakumaari, a town known for mining and corruption. It provides an ideal location for some gritty action. And when AR Rahman raises the volume of his score, it’s time for you to suspend your thoughts for a while and just enjoy the jaw-dropping fight scenes, especially the climax fight. The scenes featuring the two leads are only a handful, but they are still whistle-worthy and inject the film with the required energy. Director Obeli n krishna’s use of Priya Bhavani Shankar serves a better purpose than that of Shanvi Shrivastava in the original film mufti. With good acting, this action drama has its own striking moments, especially the dialogues of Silambarasan and Gautam Menon. Obeli N krishna, who has done right with the casting has managed to tell a gritty gangster tale.

What doesn’t work

Pathu Thala,  designed as a multi-starrer but failed to make an impact in the line. Though Gautam Karthik is present from the beginning to the end, Silambarasan’s aura becomes the central and main focus of this gangster drama. The lead actors’ chemistry also didn’t work well. The spoon-fed narration and detailing didn’t help make a sound and turned out to be very predictable stuff. Some commercial adjustments ruined its believability and convincing factor. 
The emotional side, which the original film mufti served, is missing in Pathu Thala. The director failed to convincingly capture the emotional subplotβ€”the relationship between AGR and his sister, played by Anu Sitara.

Bottomline

The original aura is missing, but everything is still fine!!