Pathu Thala

Obeli N Krishna's 2023 Tamil film is a remake of the Kannada production Mufti. A policeman who infiltrates a criminal organisation undercover grows close to its leader and loses track of which side he is on. The film's centre of gravity is the leader played by Silambarasan. The problem common to remakes applies here: the original's tight structure has been loosened and the characters' motivation is not sufficiently built. Against that, the music and the staging are strong by the standards of mainstream Tamil cinema. Gautham Vasudev Menon takes a supporting role, and a director of his standing appearing as an actor drew interest. The action is dense and the level of violence high. Who it's for: those who like Tamil gangster films and star-centred action. Who it's not for: viewers who have seen the original or who want a coherent script; the adaptation stays weak.