Mandaadi review: Soori excels in a rousing sea drama

A sailboat race is a fine place to put men with wounded pride. The wind has no reason to humour them. Mandaadi finds terrific entertainment in that contest, taking Soori’s familiar world of village loyalties and old grievances somewhere fresh: the sailing traditions of Tamil Nadu’s southern coast.

Muthukaali (Soori), once a champion racer, returns to Mugavai Pattinam after twenty years away. His decision to protect Maari (Mithun Jai Sankar), a teenager in trouble after a violent race, puts him back in the path of Saattappuli (Suhas), who controls the village team. With a handful of inexperienced youngsters, Muthukaali sets about challenging that hold. The comeback story is recognisable; the work these men must do together makes it compelling.

Out on the water, the film is an exhilarating thing. Bodies lean with the boats, hands work the rigging, and S R Kathir’s camera gets close enough to make the effort register. The open-water action has weight and danger, with GV Prakash Kumar’s score giving the races an extra surge. Mathimaran Pugazhendhi also understands that this sport belongs to a community. Knowing how to handle a sail is a skill passed down, useful well beyond the finish line.

Soori wears this life comfortably. His physical assurance on the boat is persuasive, and the softer, wounded side of the performance gives the return its feeling. Suhas gives the rival’s hunger for respect an ugly edge. Mahima Nambiar brings force to her confrontations, while Sathyaraj makes the older sailor’s attachment to the sport count. These are rough people, but the film rarely confuses being rooted with being crude. Even among the blood and bluster, it allows room for affection and dignity.

There are moments when the familiar Soori ingredients feel too carefully assembled: village hardship, bruised egos, blades and another eruption of violence. The solo fight just before the interval pushes him too far towards an indestructible masala hero. Some of the cutting is restless too, breaking up striking boat imagery before it can settle. A little restraint would have made the physical achievement even more impressive.

Yet the final race generates the excitement it promises. Mandaadi makes you care about an unfamiliar sport and the people keeping it alive. That is a considerable win.