Sethu plans an escape from the Nagercoil district jail with the help of his fellow prisoners. Despite all the obstacles they encounter every day, can these remand inmates carry out their plan?
Cast: Hridhu Haroon, Simha, RK Suresh, Munishkanth, Anaswara Rajan
Director: Brinda
Thugs Movie Review: In a conversation with us, choreographer-director Brinda had stated that she wanted Thugs, her sophomore film, to be as explicit as a trailer. After seeing her movie, I can affirm that she succeeded in doing just that with her Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil replica (2018). Thugs immediately places us in the jail and launches into an engaging slow-motion action sequence set in the rain, in contrast to the original, which starts with the circumstances that led the protagonist into a prison. We are thrust into the cramped confines of a jail with no time to catch our breath. The back story is then revealed throughout the movie utilising a non-linear narrative, which heightens the tension.
This recreation, albeit generally faithful to the original, may be described as less intricate. This version borrows certain concepts from the original, such as the lawyer role performed by Lijo José Pellissery, the heroine becoming locked up in an institution, and the killing of a SI. This indicates that the jail break is the sole subject of the movie. In contrast to the original Malayalam film’s more subdued and ambiguous approach, Thugs also explicitly describes a few situations. In contrast to a previous scene in the movie where Sethu (Hridhu Haroon) decides against breaking out of the prison, in this scene he clutches the rope, climbs it, and then changes his mind. The question then is, with cops monitoring him in close proximity, how does he get away with it? But these are minor inconveniences in a remake that retains the soul of the original.
The escape strategy isn’t exactly ideal or original. Sethu and the guys use a tool that has been smuggled into the cell to dig their way out, seemingly being inspired by Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption. Yet in contrast to the Frank Darabont movie, where the protagonist’s scheme is one of the biggest surprises ever, in this one we follow the main characters from the start and know what they are up to. Despite the fact that they keep appearing, Sethu is able to overcome them with ease. The screenplay jumps in to take care of issues when he is unable to handle them on his alone. For instance, Durai (Bobby) the biggest aid of Sethu, gets framed and is moved to the district jail, but in weeks, he returns, with a rather silly excuse masquerading as a twist.
Thugs’ superior technical execution makes up for its commodious writing, though. Although Sam CS’s background music often feels too loud, it really helps elevate the positive moments. The picture doesn’t feel hurried because to Praveen Antony’s editing, which also adds some much-needed balance.
Although there isn’t much room for performers to show off their skills in Thugs, Hridhu’s passionate portrayal as a shrewd prisoner keeps the movie moving. He also does a wonderful job in the action. In addition to giving a controlled performance, Bobby Simha is useful. As the innocent yet cunning prisoner and the brutal jailor, respectively, actors Munishkanth and RK Suresh excel as well.
A jail escape movie needs us to identify with the hero and support him in order to be successful. He is a culprit in this instance, therefore there is no pressing necessity for him to leave right now. The fact that his lover is secure in the outside world simply makes his escape less urgent. In general, though, the remake—which bears no writing credits—does respect to the original, even if you aren’t exactly rooting for the captives who are escaping.
