‘Saala’ Movie Review: A Gripping Gangster Drama with a Moral Message

The film has its share of unexpected twists, but it definitely could have benefited from a more concise structure.

Opening with a voiceover-heavy scene to introduce a crime world is a familiar approach, and debut director SD Manipaul’s *Saala* follows this trend. The positive aspect is that it sets up a compelling narrative about a gang war centered around bars. We meet Saala (played by debutant Dheeran) and his mentor Guna (Aruldoss), who are positioned against Thangadurai (Charles Vinoth, who maintains a consistent yet effective expression). The setting is North Chennai, a notable hotspot for violence in Tamil cinema, second only to Madurai. The characters are well-cast, and the local atmosphere is captured beautifully. Cinematographer Ravindranath Guru employs minimal filtering, which lends a sense of realism to the visuals. This foundation promises a gritty and epic gangster tale.

On the downside, *Saala* doesn’t fully capitalize on this promising setup. We are also introduced to Punitha (Reshma Venkatesh), an anti-alcohol activist, and much of the film focuses on her discussions about the dangers of drinking. While it’s clear that significant research went into crafting *Saala*, this information often feels forced rather than integrated naturally into the narrative. Writing a character like Punitha is challenging, and many of her lines come off as mere statistics or advice rather than genuine dialogue. Nevertheless, Reshma delivers her performance with conviction, lending authenticity to her role.

Unfortunately, the narrative threads lack coherence, resulting in an abundance of jokes and mass appeal moments. While I understand the need to make a serious story more accessible to a wider audience, the humor often relies on superficial jokes about appearances, and the mass moments featuring Saala feel out of place within the overall context.

The film is filled with unexpected moments, like the fate of three teenagers dreaming of scoring some alcohol and the events leading to an accident. Manipaul demonstrates significant promise in crafting these surprising instances of shock. There’s also a delightful attention to detail in various scenes, such as a bar owner ceremoniously pouring beer on the floor during the opening (considered his sacred offering) and the meticulous planning of a murder. However, these intriguing concepts often get overshadowed by lengthy discussions on the dangers of alcohol.

Unfortunately, the film loses its pace in the second half. We’re presented with lengthy educational monologues and drawn-out scenes, leaving the gang war underdeveloped. The graphic visuals intended to convey the message seem excessive, especially considering the perplexing U/A rating from the Censor Board that changes week by week. The emotional weight of tragic moments feels more shocking than genuinely sad, as the emotional connections are not convincingly established. While the creators may have aimed to avoid overt preaching, the messaging still comes across as rather blunt and direct.

The film’s intentions are commendable, and there are plenty of engaging elements throughout. However, it could have benefited from a tighter narrative structure. Overall, *Saala* remains an engaging watch and offers some thought-provoking moments, but I wish it had been more intense and focused.

Rating: (2.5 / 5)