Harkara review: It falls short of expectations, achieving only half of its potential quality.
Although the performances are exceptional and the visuals are breathtaking, Ram Arun Castro's direction ultimately lacks the ability to resonate and evoke emotion.
Good attempt but falls flat.
Harkara (Tamil)
- Cast: Ram Arun Castro, Kaali Venkat, Gautami Chowdry, Pichaikkaran Murthy, Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan, and Nicola Fuste
- Director: Ram Arun Castro
- Producers: NA Ramu and Saravanan Ponraj
- Music: Ramshanker
- Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
Director Ram Arun Castro, who captivated audiences with his acting in the investigative thriller V1 (2019), has decided to take on the dual role of both actor and director in his latest project.
The narrative of the directorial work Harkara, which its creators assert is inspired by true events and real-life occurrences, centers on two individuals.
Postman Kaali (Kaali Venkat) is assigned to a remote village situated atop picturesque yet hard-to-reach mountains.
Matheswaran (Ram Arun Castro) serves as a Harkara, or messenger, tasked with delivering messages to these isolated areas during the British colonial period in India.
While Harkara possesses a compelling premise, it regrettably fails to convey the story in an engaging manner, resulting in a presentation that feels only partially effective compared to its potential.
Summary
Kaali, the recently assigned postman to the solitary post office situated on the picturesque mountain of Eesan Malai, finds himself disenchanted and fervently seeking a transfer. His sense of urgency stems from the location of his assignment. Nestled in the elevated terrain of the mountain, the village is, for all intents and purposes, isolated from the outside world.
What frustrates him even further is the reality that the small, sparsely populated village consists predominantly of illiterate individuals who utilize the post office primarily as a banking facility rather than for its intended purpose.
Kaali requests a transfer; however, his superiors in the city categorically reject his appeal, citing their inability to find a suitable replacement for him.
During this period, the postman conceives an idea. He recognizes that the villagers lack education, prompting him to draft a petition on their behalf to the government, advocating for the closure of the post office and the establishment of a bank in its place.
He deceives the villagers into providing their thumbprints on this petition. He is convinced that this action will ultimately lead to his transfer to a location nearer to civilization. Shortly after completing this task, Kaali resumes his duties of mail distribution. One day, a letter intended for an elderly woman residing at the highest point of the neighboring range arrives at his post office. Kaali embarks on the journey to deliver it, and during his extensive trek, he learns about his predecessor, Matheswaran, known as the Harkara, who is now revered by the locals as a deity. This narrative leaves a significant impact on Kaali, prompting a change in his perspective. The essence of the story and its transformative effect on Kaali is the central theme of Harkara.
Does not establish a connection with the audience
The film's content is unequivocally rich and invigorating. Nevertheless, the narrative struggles to establish a connection due to several questions that inevitably arise as the plot progresses.
For example, the character of the Harkara is depicted as delivering mail to the local populace in pre-independence India. This portrayal raises some skepticism, particularly since the early scenes suggest that the majority of the villagers are uneducated and illiterate.
If the current inhabitants of the village are illiterate, it raises a logical inconsistency regarding how those from the same village during the pre-Independence period could possess the education necessary to write letters.
The essence of the film is encapsulated in the profound sacrifice made by the Harkara at a pivotal moment. However, the motivations behind this sacrifice are not conveyed with sufficient clarity. In essence, this segment lacks the necessary impact to resonate effectively with the audience.
Exceptional visual artistry
Nevertheless, Harkara merits attention for several compelling reasons.
The stunning imagery crafted by cinematographers Philip R Sundar and Lokesh Elangovan captivates the audience throughout the film, leaving a lasting impression. Fortunately, these remarkable visuals are not confined to a single segment but are present consistently across the entire movie.
In the initial half, Ram Shanker's musical composition may initially seem discordant, hindering the audience's ability to follow the dialogue seamlessly.
However, as the narrative unfolds, his background score harmonizes with the storyline, enhancing the emotional depth and beautifully complementing the striking visuals presented on screen.
A remarkable performance by the actors
Kaali Venkat, known for his remarkable performances, once again presents a compelling portrayal as a postman. He seamlessly embodies the character, showcasing his talent with authenticity.
Ram Arun Castro, in the role of the Harkara, also delivers an impressive performance. Notably, his execution of the Silambam action sequences, where he skillfully maneuvers a staff, highlights the extensive training he must have undergone to master this role.
Gautami Chowdry, portraying Durga, has limited dialogue but still manages to dominate several scenes, making them distinctly hers. Her expressive eyes convey a wealth of emotion, ensuring that her silent expressions resonate more profoundly than the words spoken by her male counterparts.
It is also important to commend the filmmakers for their dedication in shooting this film in such challenging environments.
Concluding remarks
Overall, Harkara can be characterized as a commendable effort to narrate a heroic tale. Unfortunately, it does not succeed in establishing a connection or evoking an emotional response.
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🎬 Movie: Harkara
📅 Year: 2023
🔊 League: Tamil
🔅 IMDB: 7.1
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Written by: JD