RAGHU THATHA REVIEW
Cast: Keerthy Suresh, MS Bhaskar, Ravindra Vijay, Devadarshini
Director: Suman Kumar
In Suman Kumar’s Raghu Thatha, a village in 1960s Tamil Nadu becomes the unlikely battleground for both love and ideology. Kayalvizhi, played with characteristic spirit by Keerthy Suresh, is a young woman who defies expectations. A bank employee and a writer (albeit under a male pseudonym), she is a vocal advocate against Hindi imposition, inheriting her rebellious streak from her grandfather, Raghothaman (a well cast MS Bhaskar).
When a marriage proposal arises, Kayalvizhi finds herself drawn to Selvam (Ravindra Vijay), a seemingly progressive man. But as their relationship develops, a situation arises that forces Kayalvizhi to confront her marriage commitment. When she learns of her would-be’s misogyny and controlling mindset, she wants out. Thus begins a game of chicken between the two – marriage or no?
Raghu Thatha is at its best when it embraces a quirky, character-driven humor. The film is populated with an ensemble of oddballs and scene-stealers, from Kayalvizhi’s quick-witted sister-in-law to a pair of small-town criminals who bring unexpected laughs. The film’s gentle satire takes aim at societal expectations, particularly those imposed on women, but these critiques, while present, never quite reach a satisfying depth.
Keerthy Suresh delivers a performance that feels both grounded and spirited. She embodies Kayalvizhi’s contradictions – her idealism, her pragmatism, her quick temper – with authenticity. Ravindra Vijay, as the seemingly too-good-to-be-true Selvam, is a comedic highlight, his performance toeing the line between charming and ludicrous.
Sumar Kumar’s direction is confident, though the film’s pacing, particularly in the first half, occasionally drifts. He captures the rhythm of village life with a keen eye.
Raghu Thatha is a film that entertains more than it challenges. It offers a pleasant, often humorous escape, but one can’t help but feel that a sharper, more incisive exploration of its themes would have elevated it beyond a feel-good dramedy.