Movie Name: Kudumbasthan
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Filmyjosh Rating: 3/5
Starring: Manikandan, Saanve Megghana, Guru Somasundaram, Sundarrajan, Prasanna Balachandran, Jenson Dhivakar, and others
Director: Rajeshwar Kalisamy
Producers: S. Vinoth Kumar
Music Directors: Vaisagh
Cinematographer: Sujith N. Subramaniam
Editor: Kannan Balu
Related Links: Trailer
Kudumbasthan, a recently released Tamil film, is now streaming on the OTT platform ZEE 5 in multiple languages, including Telugu. Let’s explore how this one fares.
Story:
Naveen (Manikandan), a middle-class man, is living a content life after marrying his love, Nila (Saanve Meghna), in a simple registered marriage. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he loses his job, leading to financial troubles. As he struggles to make ends meet, Naveen begins borrowing money from various sources, soon getting caught in a web of unforeseen difficulties. Who is behind his mounting problems? Can Naveen overcome this chaos and rebuild his life? The film takes the audience on an emotional, yet unpredictable, journey.
Plus Points:
Manikandan gives a solid performance, carrying the entire film on his shoulders. His portrayal of a relatable, struggling middle-class man resonates well with the audience, making the film an engaging watch.
Guru Somasundaram steals the show with his comic timing and expressive performance, especially in the interval sequence, which stands out as one of the movie’s key highlights. Saanve Meghna does her part well, though her role is limited.
Supporting actors like Kudassanad Kanakam and Sundarrajan add value to the film, providing depth and enhancing the overall appeal.
Minus Points:
While the film has a solid comedic foundation, it faces pacing issues, particularly in the second half. The protagonist’s repeated struggles start to feel monotonous, which could test the viewer’s patience.
The emotional moments in the film lack depth, which undermines the impact of some crucial scenes. A stronger emotional connection could have elevated the narrative. Additionally, Saanve Meghna’s role could have been developed further, adding more emotional weight to the story.
The Telugu dubbing is passable but feels somewhat artificial. A more polished dubbing effort would have made the viewing experience feel more authentic.
Technical Aspects:
Director Rajeshwar Kalisamy, despite being a debutant, does a decent job balancing serious themes with humor. His attempt to explore middle-class struggles with a comedic touch is commendable. However, the screenplay could have been tighter to prevent the narrative from dragging in places.
Sujith N. Subramaniam’s cinematography and Vaisagh’s music fit the film’s tone but don’t leave a lasting impression. The editing, handled by Kannan Balu, could have been sharper, especially in the second half, to ensure a better pace. The Telugu dubbing, though adequate, could have been more refined.
Verdict:
Kudumbasthan is a lighthearted comedy-drama with commendable performances, particularly by Manikandan and Guru Somasundaram. The humor is effective, especially towards the climax, but pacing issues, a lack of emotional depth, and the repetitiveness of the second half prevent it from being a standout film. If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly film to watch this weekend, this one fits the bill.
Filmyjosh Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by Filmyjosh Team