Jigarthanda DoubleX movie review: An explosion of layers with a heap of love for filmmaking

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Cast: Raghava Lawrence, SJ Suryah, Shine Tom Chacko

Jigarthanda DoubleX starring Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah in lead roles is the Diwali runner. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film is a sequel to 2014 film Jigarthanda starring Sidharth and Bobby Simha. This film carries forward the soul of its predecessor, and that is to use filmmaking as a key character. It is not a plot device or a mere trigger point, but this element ebbs and flows throughout the film. There is a lot of play of duality, especially the kind that centers on opposing nature’s of two different characters.

Take for instance, the character of Raghava Lawrence Allius Caeser. He believes that his dark skin is no hindrance to his chances of debuting as a hero in films. To him, a camera is not just an equipment to capture visuals but a weapon that can be used by him. He sees it as a source of power that will help him catapult to not just fame, but also power. Now, another duality that is explored in the film is that of fame vs power. Shine Tom Chacko’s character Jeyakodi’s predicament is what sets the ball rolling for the rest of the film. He is an actor-politician and his idea to assassinate top guns that control certain sections of the state in order to gain complete control is how Kirubai (SJ Suryah) ends up on a mission to take out Allius. He poses as a director, indulges Allius’ obsession for acting in films to get close to him to carry out his mission successfully.

Now here is comes another layer, and that is the duality within Kirubai and Allius. Kirubai is tagged a coward at the very beginning. Yet, he is framed for murder, and has to commit one to escape his predicament. Now, a man who fears almost everything has to push past his fears to make things happen. On the other hand, there is Allius, who is a foil in many instances to Kirubai. He believes he is a protagonist, but in truth, he is manipulated by Kirubai.

In addition to all of these dualities is the two tones in the overall film — visually as well as in its narrative. Visually, it moves between warm orange and red to cooler greens. In the narrative, there is a tonal shift, one that is reminiscent of the 2014 film. The more I think of everything that Karthik Subbaraj has packed in the film, the more it reminds me of a Kaleidescape.

So to a large extent, the film works really well. Especially with great support from composer Santhosh Narayanan and the lead cast, the film at its peak goes beyond one’s expectation. However, this film is not flawless.

Despite the finesse that Karthik has shown in helming this sequel, there are weak links in the film that may hinder the experience. For me, the introduction of the mail characters felt a tad bit tedious, and even overtly indulgent. While the film is definitely the most political that Karthik has been, how it plays of for and against the film, especially in the context of present times is deserving of closer of attention.

In conclusion, Jigarthanda DoubleX is a little bit of a Western film, but instead of a cowboy, we have local gangsters swinging their weapon of choice — be it a camera or a gun.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Jigarthanda Double X is playing in cinemas

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