Watch Kaala Koothu

Kaala Koothu is a Tamil drama film released in 2018, directed by M. Nagarajan and produced by Madras Enterprises. It stars Srushti Dange, Dhansika and Kalaiyarasan in the lead roles. The film is set in the backdrop of Madurai and showcases how the lives of the lead character's intertwine with each other. The movie's title translates to 'Black Rooster Dance' and is a nod to the traditional dance form that used to be performed by men in rural Tamil Nadu. The narrative centres around the lives of two young men, played by Kalaiyarasan and Dhansika. Both of them are from different backgrounds but have a common passion - Kabbadi. Kalaiyarasan plays the role of a passionate Kabbadi player and is the captain of the Madurai team. Dhansika essays the role of a college professor who coaches a women's Kabbadi team. Both the characters are competing at the district level to represent their respective teams at the state-level tournament.

The film introduces a love angle between Kalaiyarasan's character with Srushti Dange who plays his classmate. However, their romance is short-lived as Srushti Dange's family is against their relationship. Her mother is a widowed school teacher who forbids her daughter from seeing Kalaiyarasan's character as he comes from a lower caste. Meanwhile, Dhansika's character is battling her own demons as she struggles with her past and her present.

The film has a slow pace and delves into the personal lives of the lead characters. The director tries to humanize each character by giving them a backstory and a reason for their actions. The movie touches upon issues like patriarchy and casteism prevalent in rural Tamil Nadu. It showcases how these problems affect the day-to-day life of people and influence their decisions. The movie's strength lies in the performances of its cast, who do complete justice to their roles.

Kalaiyarasan, who has been a supporting actor in many films, shines in his first lead role. He gives an understated performance and convincingly portrays the frustration and helplessness his character feels. Dhansika, as always, is brilliant in her role as a professor who is determined to make a difference. However, it is Srushti Dange's portrayal of a young girl struggling to make her own choices that stands out. Her performance is nuanced and natural.

The film's main conflict arises when the Madurai Kabbadi team's coach, played by renowned actor Prabhakar, is found dead. The police announce that it was an accident but the players suspect otherwise. The team decides to investigate the matter themselves and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to destroy Madurai's reputation. The mystery element in the film, however, is not very strong and could have been better executed.

The film's music composed by Justin Prabhakaran is pleasant and suits the mood of the film. But it is the background score that elevates the scenes and adds to the emotions of the characters. The film is shot in and around Madurai, and the visuals of rural Tamil Nadu are captured beautifully.

In conclusion, Kaala Koothu is a slice of life film that tries to showcase the struggles of youngsters in rural Tamil Nadu. The film does justice to its characters and brings out their emotions effectively. However, the movie's slow pace and lack of a strong mystery element could deter some audiences. Nonetheless, it is a must-watch for its realistic portrayal of social issues and standout performances.

Kaala Koothu is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.