‘Mandaadi’ movie review: Soori, Suhas power an engaging, smooth-sailing sports actioner

Who decides who belongs where? Who decides who gets to do what? These questions have sparked countless uprisings that have also defined many of the laws we now pride ourselves on. The powerful have always dictated how the powerless should live, and that tension has always given rise to heroes who empower the powerless to revolt. But even history won’t tell you the many sporting dreams crushed by the powerful, or the heroes silenced and forced to feel content with their own victories. This is why, whenever socio-politics meets an arena like sports in stories, the results can be truly exhilarating and thought-provoking. We have seen this happen in films like Bison Kaalamaadan and Sarpatta Parambarai, and we see it once again in the latest Soori-starrer, Sardar 2 and Mandaadi. And a viewer like yours truly, who caught both films back-to-back, would have seen some superbly choreographed fight sequences in a plane, a train, a cable car, and...sailboats. Mandaadi, written and directed by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi, is set in the world of the titular sailboat racing that is popular along the southern coastline of Tamil Nadu. What his guru, Vetri Maaran, did with the traditional game of cockfighting in Aadukalam, Mathimaran attempts to do with Mandaadi.

It’s untapped territory in Tamil cinema, which is why Mathimaran refrains from anything too extraordinary — he takes the template of a socio-political sports drama and bets all-in on pitch-perfect execution. The result speaks for itself; Mandaadi is a clean, crisp, and straightforward film that holds your attention for its 150-minute runtime.

Interestingly, both films released today show what the current generation of filmmakers seems to understand about action-film audiences — modern-day action films need to start high. They don’t waste a second on unnecessary introductions and drop you right into the action. In the coastal town of Mugavaipatnam, Kittaan (Krish Hassan), the young son of a notorious business tycoon and former sailboat racer, Saattappuli (Suhas), is brought in a chariot and introduced to the townsmen as the new captain of the champion boat-racing team, Tsunami Riders.

However, the celebrations end when Maari (Mithun Jai Sankar), a member of a rival team, attempts to hack down Kittaan. As tensions rise, Maari’s father Singaaram (Ravindra Vijay) sends him to Chennai and urges his friend Muthukaali (Soori) to take good care of him. Now, here’s the big secret: Muthukaali isn’t just another ordinary man. Maari’s situation pulls Muthukaali back into the world he ran away from 20 years ago. Who is Muthukaali? What is the feud between him and Saattappuli all about? The sail is strung high, and the course is set. Mandaadi begins its journey with promise.

First and foremost, let me address your biggest expectation in a sports flick like Mandaadi — the sailboat racing scenes stand out as major highlights. The action choreography atop the boats is meticulously planned and executed. The two races featured in the film don’t have a single dull moment. But believe me when I say that Mandaadi isn’t a film you should watch for the sailboat races.

Those who have seen Mathimaran’s previous film Selfie (which is yet to get its due) will know of the writer-director’s penchant for writing drama and intricate plots. Mandaadi shines best when it stays on the many personal, complicated spaces between the characters. Imagine what would go through the mind of a young Maari when he realises that his mother, Angel Rakkamma (Mahima Nambiar), was in a relationship with his mentor, Muthukaali. Or what would a friendship feel like between Muthukaali and the best friend who is now married to his ex-lover?

The most stirring moments in the film are between Muthukaali and Angel, and Muthukaali and his mentor, Machamuni (Sathyaraj). And I am happy to report that all actors in Mandaadi bring their A-game, further amplifying the impact of the writing. Mahima is, without a doubt, the most impressive performer in the cast, and watch how she reacts when the inevitable moment with Muthukaali arrives. Sathyaraj does what Sathyaraj does best. It is about time Tamil cinema saw the performer in Suhas. As Saattappuli, he holds the frames effortlessly and, at times, even comes close to stealing the spotlight from the ever-impressive Soori.

Importantly, Mathimaran’s character depth allows these actors to give their best. For example, the feud between Muthukaali and Saattappuli has layers — which you understand well from their positions. They are both traitors to each other, and hence, for both of them, winning the racing competition is a way to exact revenge. But that’s not all; the stakes in Mandaadi are far higher. Winning the race is the only way Saattappuli can secure the business he had to fight hard to establish. For Muthukaali, it is about protecting his late mentor Machamuni’s beliefs and winning back the honour of their sailboat clan, Mandaadi Vagaiyara.

Machamuni believed that the sailboat races weren’t merely a sport; they were a way of life for a community. He believed a real mandaadi hadto pass the sailboat-racing knowledge to newer generations, as it prepares them for a future when they have to fend for themselves on the ocean without fuel for their engines. Saattappuli’s decision to hire racers from other towns prevents coastal men from learning this craft. This idea lies at the heart of Mandaadi, and Mathimaran’s script fleshes out this emotion with ease.

Mandaadi is another example of how good, earnest writing and filmmaking can deliver a neat, engaging film even with a routine template. And one can now safely say that Soori is serious about the films he has chosen — the sidekick sportsman who gobbled parottas is long gone; this new beast can surf the Tsunami waves (oh, we are back to Aadukalam).

Mandaadi is currently running in theatres