Kuttram Pudhithu, directed by Noah Armstrong, brings Tharun Vijay in the lead role, who also takes charge as the producer. The movie attempts to deliver a gripping thriller, with Seshvitha Kanimozhi cast in an important role after receiving attention in Vijay Antony’s Maargan. Known for her unique screen presence, Seshvitha is once again given a challenging part in a suspense-driven screenplay.
The story begins with Sathya, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who lives a joyful life with his family and two grown-up daughters. One of them, Preethi, informs her father that she will be late coming home. The next morning, tragedy strikes as Preethi goes missing, and soon after, the police discover a young girl’s body brutally chopped into several pieces. The investigation leads the police towards Vinayagam, who is suspected of involvement in the horrific murder.
As the investigation continues, the police trace Vinayagam’s house and come across his neighbour, Kadhir. Their enquiries reveal that some of Kadhir’s statements and activities resemble Vinayagam’s, causing suspicion. However, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Kadhir is an innocent young man, while Vinayagam, a womanizer, is in fact the real culprit behind Preethi’s murder. In a shocking twist, Kadhir suddenly surrenders at the police station, claiming he killed Preethi. His unusual behaviour leads doctors to conclude that he is suffering from a concussion, adding another confusing layer to the narrative.
The climax of the film is where logic takes a back seat. Preethi reappears to her father, and it is revealed about the truth. This raises questions about the doctor’s earlier diagnosis of concussion, making the storyline inconsistent and leaving viewers puzzled. Despite these lapses, the film tries to hold attention with a mix of crime, suspense, and emotional drama.
When it comes to performances, Tharun Vijay shines in his dual role as actor and producer. His portrayal is marked by innocence and charm, particularly in the way he addresses the police and judge as “uncle,” making his character endearing. Seshvitha Kanimozhi adds strength to the film with her impressive performance, while expert actor Nizhalgal Ravi, unfortunately, is underutilized and doesn’t get much scope to showcase his talent. Supporting actors Madhusudhan Rao and Priyadarshini Rajkumar play their parts well.
On the technical side, the film delivers mixed results. Karan B Krupa’s background score is different from typical thrillers; instead of building tension, the rhythm feels unusual, especially in scenes where the killer converses with the police. Jason Williams handles cinematography with competence, and S. Kamala Kannan’s editing is neat, though the screenplay’s logical loopholes weaken the overall impact. Distributor S. Hari Uthraa brings the film to the audience, but despite its good intentions and some noteworthy performances, Kuttram Pudhithu ends up as a thriller that falls short of its full potential.
Overall, A thriller with strong performances but let down by weak logic and execution. Tharun Vijay and Seshvitha Kanimozhi shine, supporting actors are decent.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5)
