As soon as his film is announced, director Bala’s films are surrounded by hype. Then he takes his own sweet time to direct it. Result: a film that oozes perfection. A first look poster and teaser which transports us into the world of the movie, regardless of genre. It happened with Pithamagan. It happened with Sethu. It even happened with a brutal film like Naan Kadavul. We could feel the emotions the characters portrayed. Perfectly. That’s the magic Bala creates on screen.
Tharai Thappattai stars Sasikumar and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and revolves around a traditional Tamil Nadu dance form, Karagattam. The audio and teaser of the film were released in tandem with the Christmas celebrations. Disappointingly, the teaser runs for only 26 seconds. Leaving us longing for more action to unfold on screen.
Cymbals, trumpets, and drums introduce Bala’s production house B Studios, Ayngaran International, and Company Productions. They also declare that this is Ilaiyaraaja’s 1000th film. An achievement no music director today can even imagine surpassing.
We’re introduced to a naïve Sasikumar. A rather child-like Varalaxmi interrupts him, and says, “Sollu mama, Ivaru heroineee naa hero”(‘Tell mama, he’s the heroine, I’m the hero’). Cut to a smiling director Bala. Cut to heavy Tharai Thappattai music. End with Sasikumar and Varalaxmi perfectly executing some hardcore folk moves, to maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s music.