‘Dikkiloona’ movie review: Santhanam’s comedy asks us to suspend disbelief and sense of humor

Props to director Kartik Yogi for coming up with a suitable title for his film. It is from a game that was invented by Bablu (Senthil) gentleman. When he tries to play ‘Dikkiluna’ (where you have to move backwards and hit another person’s butt with yours) with Mani (Goundamani), he gets a kick to the back. Yogi in his film dikkiluna, also talks about the effect of a person who moves backwards over time.

Read also | Get ‘First Day First Show’ our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema delivered to your inbox. You can subscribe for free here

Unfortunately, there is nothing else to appreciate about the film other than its title. The setup is excellent for a crazy comedy: a man, frustrated with his life (especially with his wife) gets the chance to go back in time to stop his marriage. The resulting absurdities and conflicts should sparkle, explode, and produce spectacular flashes like fireworks in the night sky. But they only flicker like a tubelight on low-voltage electricity.

Mani (Santhanam), who works as a lineman at the Electricity Board, causes an accident that causes a time machine to work in 2027. Scientists have developed it to prevent crimes. Mani, who probably thinks that his marriage to Priya (Anagha LK) is a crime he has committed on himself, goes back seven years to stop it.

Time travel is complicated. Usually, movies have a scientist explaining how it works, which can sometimes lead to more confusion (*cough* Theory) but you won’t have such a problem dikkiluna Because we have Albert Einstein (Yogi Babu) himself spelling out the formula for time travel! (If you want to know, read till the end of the article*)

Thankfully, the movie doesn’t overdo the future with ridiculous gadgets. Yogis know that this is only six years ahead of our present. But he could have been a little more creative with the future. if back in the future The chain showed us a flying car, dikkiluna Shows us the ‘Elite Tasmac Bar’, in which alcohol is free, but a water bottle costs Rs 2500!

The second half of the film has more social commentary, especially on women. Mani goes back in time and changes his present, where he is married to another woman who likes him. This woman, unlike Priya, does not bother him. But soon she learns that she is worse. He’s a “modern” ponnuShe drinks at night, parties and wears figure-hugging dresses and stilettos at temples. She has a “boy bestie” with whom she does the “Bit Tok” video.

Mani, after a point, is unable to tolerate him and leaves him… but not before establishing concepts like decency and independence. Sample: “Freedom is not living the way you want; it’s living in a way that is accepted by others.” In a way, this is also time travel. When Tamil cinema is giving importance to women empowerment, dikkiluna Reminds us of the time when our heroes used to teach a lesson to women… how to be a woman.

If the serious lines are problematic, the comical ones, well, most are not comical. Case in point: “Ennadhu, Idhu Time Machine Ah? Time Paka Edhukku Ivalo Periya machine?”

Santhanam uses his usual brand of insult comedy. He calls the other characters, “Thavalkotta Via”, “Kung Fu Panda”, “Custom La Matana Aamai” and other things. But they can’t even wake up a laugh. The supporting characters (including Motta Rajendran, Munishkanth, Anandaraj, Nijalgal Ravi, Sha Ra) also fail to entertain, although Yogi Babu delivers some funny lines. Oh, cricketer Harbhajan Singh also plays a cameo. Luckily, it’s just a cameo.

NS Per Vechaalum songs from mythology Michael Madna Kama Rajani It seems to be reused as some kind of tribute. In this version too, a man is carrying a piece of log to take out the other man. Maybe they should have thrown in the four-time traveling Santhanam trying to get rid of each other? The original is packed with comical incidents with great acting and scintillating choreography. It tries to be funny too, but falls short.

There are also some logical flaws. But let’s not get into it. Because, we can suspend disbelief in a science-fiction comedy… but should we also suspend our sense of humor?

*Thanks for reading till the end. Here is the time travel formula: (43^2)+a*f->rain effect->2+tyres+wildfire->EPS->(over build^2)->ATB->TN2020+speed of light = Zero dynamic pressure. it’s still easy Theory, No?

Dikkiluna is currently Zee 5 . streaming on