BADAVA MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Vimal, Soori, Shrita Rao, KGF Ram, Devadarshini, Namo Narayanan, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Senthil, Saravana Sakthi
Director: K.V. Nandha
Let’s get one thing straight: Badava is not going to revolutionize Tamil cinema. But there’s something oddly endearing about watching a film so comfortable in its own predictability – like an old sweater that’s frayed at the edges but still keeps you warm.
Director K.V. Nandha’s village drama stars Vimal as the town troublemaker – a man so insufferable that the entire village pools their money just to ship him off to Malaysia. It’s the equivalent of a community restraining order, and honestly, I can’t blame them. Vimal and his partner-in-chaos Soori spend their days pilfering, drinking, and being general nuisances with the enthusiasm of teenagers who’ve discovered their parents’ liquor cabinet.
When Vimal returns after losing his bartending job abroad, he finds himself embraced by those who once shunned him – all because a rumor has spread that he’s hit a 10-crore lottery jackpot. Suddenly, this village pariah becomes village president. The lottery rumor (propagated by Soori) creates the film’s central tension: Vimal never confirms or denies his newfound “wealth,” instead riding the wave of admiration straight into the panchayat leader’s chair. What follows is a somewhat touching transformation as our protagonist embraces responsibility, rehabilitating water bodies and crusading against invasive Karuvelam trees.
Vimal does what Vimal always does – he plays the lovable rascal with an expression that perpetually looks like he’s just been caught stealing cookies. It works, mainly because the role demands little else. Soori shoulders the comedy, delivering the film’s most memorable moments. KGF Ram is okay as the villain.
The technical elements feel like they were assembled from a “Rural Tamil Film Kit” – John Peter’s musical score is pleasant but forgettable, while cinematographer Ramalingam captures village life with functional clarity, occasionally surprising with vibrant colors during song sequences.
The film’s pacing, however, is where Nandha reveals his rookie status. Badava meanders through scenes that overstay their welcome, stretching a 90-minute story into a leisurely 150-minute stroll. There are moments when you can almost hear the editor giving up.
Yet despite its flaws, the film manages to land its message about trust and transformation without becoming preachy. When the villagers place their faith in Vimal (albeit based on a misunderstanding), he rises to meet their expectations. It’s a refreshingly straightforward take on how people can grow when given the chance – and responsibility – to do so. Just don’t expect to remember much of it on the drive home.