Idli Kottu Review: Dhanush’s Directorial Misfire
Dhanush returns as director with Idli Kottu, his fourth film after Raayan and Pa Paandi. Despite his name drawing initial curiosity, the Telugu-dubbed film fails to make an impact, offering little beyond nostalgia for outdated storytelling.
Plot:
Murali (Dhanush) works at a Bangkok hotel owned by Vishnu Vardhan (Sathyaraj) and is engaged to Vishnu’s daughter, Meera (Shalini Panday). Ashwin (Arun Vijay), the carefree brother, objects. Murali chooses to stay in India to run his father’s Idli Kottu, prompting Ashwin to come teach him a lesson. What follows is a predictable series of conflicts and melodramatic resolutions.
Performances:
- Dhanush: Effortless but unchallenging; the character lacks depth.
- Nithya Menen: Fits the rural-girl mold.
- Rajkiran: Provides sincerity and gravitas as the father.
- Shalini Panday, Arun Vijay, Sathyaraj, Samuthirakani: Underwritten roles, delivering routine performances.
- Parthiban: Briefly memorable in the climax.
Technical Aspects:
- Music: GV Prakash Kumar’s score is forgettable.
- Cinematography & Editing: Functional but uninspired.
- Action: Two fight sequences fail to impress, even with Peter Hein on board.
Weaknesses:
The writing is the film’s biggest flaw — outdated, melodramatic, and full of staged moments. The story feels stuck in the 70s-80s era, with forced sentimentality and predictable conflicts. Attempts at emotional depth often fall flat, and the plot is riddled with clichés, from heroic police interventions to village-wide rallies.
Verdict:
Idli Kottu aspires to be a heartfelt tale but ends up as a dull, antiquated narrative. Despite Dhanush’s involvement, the film fails to engage, entertain, or leave a lasting impression.
Bottom-line: A stale, melodramatic misfire — truly a tasteless idly.
