BOTTOM LINE
High-Octane Thrill Ride
OUR RATING
3/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’ Certified, 2 hrs 26 mins
What Is the Film About?
Bejoy (Narain) is a special task force police officer who has caught hundreds of crores worth cocaine. When the information reaches the gang which is doing the illegal drug trade, they want to teach Bejoy and his team a lesson by killing a selective few. It is to send a strong signal to the rest.
How Dilli (Karthi) is caught in the cross fire between the police and the mafia and ends up saving the Bejoy and his unit is what the movie is all about? Amidst all the mayhem, there is a sentiment running whereby Dilli has to meet his daughter. Did he meet her forms the overall story?
How Is Karthi’s Performance?
Karthi is terrific in Khaidi. It is a serious no non-sense role devoid of comedy and other such fun entertainment. It is intense and emotional act. The actor is up to the challenge and makes the best impression on all scores.
There are well placed action and emotional scenes. Each give a space and push to other and help in registering with the audience. The scene where Karthi explains the flashback or the one in the climax have been enacted beautifully. Khaidi will be no doubt a memorable outing for the actor.
Direction by Lokesh Kanagaraj?
Lokesh Kanagaraj in his sophomore attempt continues the excellent form of his debut. There is one similarity here as well – both the movies happen in one night and it’s about seeing the light of the next day.
As is with films that have thin timeline and plot, the screenplay has to be excellent and narrative gripping to hold the audience attention. Lokesh Kanagaraj scores brilliantly on both the counts. Within the small time frame, he has planned many thrills and adrenaline pumping action.
The starting few minutes takes time to get used to the setting. There are various names and characters floating around which might look confusing. However, once the narrative ‘literally’ gets on the road, it is up and running in a relentless manner.
It is the believability of the whole enterprise that is the most exciting prospects. There is raw action, lots of thrills and some natural entertainment thrown in at right times. The emotional scenes come across as cliché, but they are like a necessary evil. They help in giving a breathing space in between high-octane rushing sequences. It is like a bridge between one action block to others.
The movie really hit the top gear from the pre-interval mark when the hero joins the action. The interval ends with a bang.
The second half again takes some time to get on track in the initial few minutes. However, once we are on the road, there is no stopping until the end. The emotional scenes which come across as speed-breakers previously are also blended well into the proceedings in the second half.
Another major highlight of the movie is that Lokesh Kanagaraj makes us care about the supporting parts as well. The attention is equally on them to be safe along with the lead. They are all culminated neatly into the climax.
Overall, despite a few minor bumps at different blocks, Khaidi is must-watch once for its thrilling narration and action. Do give it is a try even if it’s not on your radar.
Other Artists:?
Khaidi is one of those films which has no heroine for the hero. Still, there is a number of actors and the director flashes out them just enough to care. if it was Ramadoss in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s debut Maanagaram, here it is George Maryan. One is sure to root for him in the second half.
Narain and the young actor who plays the owner of the lorry were superb in their respective parts. The former brings the seriousness required for the narrative whereas the latter is helpful in bringing some fun. Harish Uttaman has a small role and is alright. The rest are adequate in their parts.
Music and Other Departments?
There are no songs in the movie. Sam CS, therefore, creates the right mood with the background score. He keeps the fast-paced mood, and tension alive with a catchy and thumping background score. The cinematography by Sathyan Sooran is excellent. The entire movie bears a distinct look due to his work. The editing is slick and smooth. The writing is decent for Telugu dubbing.
Highlights?
Karthi
Screenplay
Casting
Thrills
Drawbacks?
Starting Portion
Cliché Emotion at the start
Alternative Take
The movie is fine as it and the whole things look like aimed for something bigger ahead.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Khaidi Review by Siddartha Toleti
