Durai

Commercial king

There is an emperor who decides to announce his loyal and honest commander as the successor. Unable to stomach this, his ambitious son kills him and puts the blame on the commander and also murders his family. However, the commander rises through the ranks and avenges the murder of his family and the emperor.


If the above lines remind you Russell Crowe’s Gladiator, it’s not our mistake. For, Arjun’s habit of watching Hollywood movies has made him to pen a script heavily inspired by the blockbuster, which won five Academy Awards. The only thing you have to do is to replace the word emperor with Chief Minister and commander with a loyal follower.


When Arjun himself is known for commercial ventures, what would happen if director A Venkatesh, the master of masala movies joins hands with him? Well, you have to watch it on screen, for Durai is an apt example for how a racy knot could be presented with hardcore masala stuff, which becomes overdosed at times.


The main strength of the movie is Arjun’s physique, which still competes heavily with gen-next actors. Vivek’s comedy is a major letdown, while heroines Kajala and Keerath have nothing much to do.


D Imman has remixed ‘Raja…Rajathi Rajanindha Raja’ perhaps to remind the audiences that the film is inspired by Gladiator. Otherwise, Durai reaches the destination, that is, an out and out commercial flick sans logic.


Durai- Masala man