BOTTOM LINE
A Hot-Political-Mess
OUR RATING
1.75/5
CENSOR
‘U’ Certified
2 hrs 28 mins
What Is the Film About?
Nanda Gopal Krishna (Suriya) is a typical youth who minds his own business but is also politically active at the same time. He is happily doing organic farming when the pesticides mafia starts to trouble him and eventually, the issue leads him toward politics. What happens when he starts to grow among the ranks in the party that he joins and where does that lead him is all that the film is about?
How Is Suriya’s Performance?
The choices of stories of Suriya are diverse, for sure, but except for the get-up and overall set up, the actor is getting highly routine with his act. Even the directors are using him within the known and predictable tropes, making him come across as very repetitive.
The combination of Suriya with Shree Raghava was seen as a treat for movie lovers. Even if the film turns out to be wrong, a memorable performance was expected seen as an assured deal. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. There are a couple of decent emotional moments at best, but even they fail to make any impact due to the way they are shot and edited.
Direction by Selvaraghavan?
NGK sees Shree Raghavan enter into an old territory after a long time. He is getting into the political world with this outing after more than ten years. Unlike the last time, NGK is mostly situated in the political space only.
The movie starts normally and gains momentum only when the political track gets introduced. For a brief period that lasts until the interval, there is a gripping narrative due to the suspense build around the character of NGK and what he is up to. The rise in the ranks part of a political output is neatly done.
When everything looks to be going alright, the two different subplots involving the female characters take the narrative in different directions and makes the experience directionless. The role of Rakul Preet Singh is alright, but it is the husband and wife track of Suriya and Sai Pallavi that creates a significant problem.
The sad part here is that Shree Raghava who is known to give the compelling and engaging drama involving female characters almost gives a caricaturish track of nagging housewife to a talented actress like Sai Pallavi. The whole track brings down the narrative engagement several notches.
The segment involving Rakul Preet Singh, including her character is better, but the screenplay mixing the three different subplots goes for a toss and becomes a total mess with one not getting clarity on what is happening and why? The lack of ‘clarity’ with proceedings and characters motives is the NGK’s downfall. It feels particularly painful when we see Suriya go all out with his act, but nothing works in his favour to enhance it.
The lead to the climax is inadequate, considering the magnanimity at the end. There is a zero impact when it should have been a huge concluding bang, fan or otherwise. It is a mess out and out.
Overall, barring the few interesting parts during the rise in the political cadre of the hero, the rest is a strict no. NGK, in the end, is more than a disappointment considering the time and combination.
Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet and Others?
Two popular top heroines, Sai Pallavi and Rakul Preet Singh, play essential roles in the movie that drive the narrative forward. They particularly hog the limelight in the second half, which is where the film gets derailed. Sai Pallavi, in particular, is annoying as hell. It will surely find a place among her least likeable and worst acts. In comparison, Rakul Preet Singh gets a better deal in characterisation and importance. But, there is nothing that stands out to talk about as a performer.
Senior actor Devaraj is seen playing the Chief Minister. He is okay. The same is the case with Bala Singh, Ilavarasu and Uma Padmanabhan. There is nothing special being done, but they are decent enough to take the plot forward.
Music and Other Departments?
The music in the combination of Yuvan Shankar Raja and Shree Raghava in the past has been sensational. They have delivered classics that are still heard today. With such pedigree behind them, NGK is a massive disappointment. The songs too have been shot and placed poorly creating a roadblock to the narrative. Technically also the movie is reduced with the cinematography and editing being bad. The combined effect of these various departments in marring the enjoyment is felt in the second half
Highlights?
Suriya
Pre-interval and Interval
Rakul’s Character
Drawbacks?
Messy Narration
Second Half
Sai Pallavi’s Character and Track
Alternative Take
The second half of the movie needs to be overhauled completely, starting with the characterisation of Sai Pallavi.
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
NGK Review by Siddartha
Final Report:
NGK fails to meet expectations with an okayish first half and even poor second half. The latter especially is a mess with no head or tail many times. Overall, NGK is a below average fare. Visit back for the detailed review shortly.
– Election Day. NGK reaches his goal in politics. The movie comes to an end. Final report shortly.
– NGK announces the party ‘PPP’ (Praja Palana Party).
– The narrative is going haywire. Director is clueless and taking the film off-track. Over violent block is an example of what’s coming?
– Vanitha (Rakul) falls for NGK. She is trying to help him achieve his political goal.
– NGK second half started. The poorly written wife and husband conflict track is back but a very brief time.
First Half Report:
NGK first half is an out and out serious political drama with no entertainment and no real depth to the proceedings. The second half is very crucial.
– NGK establishes himself well in the process and reaches a level he can directly talk to the Chief Minister. Interval after a small twist.
– NGK’s wife Sai Pallavi suspecting him to have an affair with another woman is way too silly and logic-less.
– NGK started climbing the political ladder. Vanitha (Rakul) works a high profile PR for the party is impressed with NGK and started getting his help.
– NGK is getting a taste of real politics. He is facing all sorts of insults under the MLA. NGK is winning the trust of MLA by pretending to be the most loyal person to him.
– NGK was forced to stop his organic farming activities. He gets help from local MLA with an obligation of joining his party with his men. NGK enters the politics reluctantly.
– NGK show started. Nanda Gopal Krishna (Suriya) is a happy educated farmer in the village. Sai Pallavi is his wife. He earns name and fame for his social awareness and helping everyone around him.
Preview: NGK
There is one common thing about Suriya’s new releases. That’s the buzz around them. Somehow, his movies manage to create good pre-release buzz. Even NGK has got good pre-release buzz and his fans are hoping big.
NGK will be an out-and-out Suriya’s movie with a political backdrop. What makes it unique is the combo with the director, Selvaraghavan. The director took quite a gap after his last release 5 years ago. So, there is a curiosity surrounding the movie.
For the Tamil version, the music is good and maybe, it would seem better on the screens combined with the visuals. For the Telugu version, it’s not the music but the opening day talk that would decide its stamina at the box-office.
Suriya enjoys good fan following and market in the Telugu speaking belt, as well. But, he didn’t deliver anything big in recent years and that’s why his market didn’t grow with time. Hope, NGK will be that movie for the star hero.
Going by the promos, Sai Pallavi and Rakul Preet Singh probably got substantial roles that gave the scope to perform. The former is anyway a proved performer and the latter is still lacking in that front.
Coming to the movie, it’s time to know if Suriya-Selvaraghavan combo had something intriguing to entertain the audiences. Stay tuned for ‘NGK’ review from M9News team. Keep watching this space, we’ll get back to you very soon.
