starring: Shiva, Lekha Washington, SPB Charan.
Direction: Pushkar-Gayatri
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Production: Sashikanth Sivaji
Director duo Pushkar and Gayatri’s style of film making has evoked interest among film buffs and is being discussed for its cult nature. After auto race in Oram Po, in Va-quarter cutting, it is the run for a ‘cutting’ that takes the audience through a bumpy fun ride for two hours and 15 minutes. The title of the film had kindled much interest and
the fun quotient was only upped by its cast and music as revealed through the promos.
Sura, (shortened for Sundarrajan) an ardent fan of Vijay played by Shiva lands in Chennai from Coimbatore and is on his way to Saudi Arabia for greener pastures. In Chennai, he is being taken care of by his to-be brother-in-law Marthandam (SP Charan), a veterinary doctor. Sura’s (mis)adventure through one night in Chennai and his vigorous pursuit of liquor on hearing that alcohol is forbidden in Saudi Arabia is the frivolous theme of Va-QC which the directors have handled in their own inimitable brand of narration accompanied by a zeitgeistcal crew.
The opening scene with numerous characters almost tests your memory power. However, as the film unfolds, you realize that they have been deftly interspersed through the warp and weft of the storyline in an impressive manner. Intelligent humor woven with satirical work runs through out Va-QC. Although the first half is not homogenously engaging, the second half gains momentum as it cruises through to the climax. Interestingly, the film opens with the lorry sequence and ends in a lorry sequence.
Dialogues augment the fun component, the notable ones being ‘grape’ for group rape, the ‘muttakose’ analogy to intelligence and Shiva asking Lekha for her name. There are umpteen such enjoyable examples in the film.
Credible characterization is one of the USPs of Va-QC with Shiva, Charan and John Vijay taking the honors. Shiva’s and Charan’s body language and their moronic countenance are in perfect sync with the storyline. John Vijay is a revelation in double roles. Lekha Washington as the girl with ‘self suicidal’ instincts does a neat job. There are many small characters like Abhinayasri, Amarendran, Kalyan as part of supporting cast.
The technical team has delivered what is needed for the film in right proportion. Nirav Shah is the major plus for the film and he does it again with his lens which captures the moods of the night with the appropriate usage of lighting and colors (greens and reds predominantly). Effective choreography in all departments marks the car chase sequence. Editor Anthony’s deft work with scissors is noteworthy. G V Prakashkumar’s music is already well received and is in line with the mood of the film. Thediye Thediye number comes alive for its music and visuals.
Directors Pushkar and Gayatri should be credited for respecting their audience’s intelligence and for delivering a ‘different film’ which could in many ways be an avant-garde work. However, will the different genre of comedy appeal to every segment of the audience is something that needs to be waited and watched. All the same, at a time when the term ‘nativity’ in film industry is being used in a privileged context relating only to village based themes, here is Va-QC which brings out the nativity of Chennai and its night life in its own style.
There could be an argument and doubt if someone could go to such an extent for a ‘quarter cutting’.However the psyche of some minds travelling to any length for a trivial matter also cannot be ruled out, with the term triviality itself being relative. Va-QC could work well for population that is casual and sporty.
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