Gambeeram
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Cast:
Sharat Kumar, Laila, Pranathi, Vadivelu, Thanikalabharani, Jasper, Peeli Sivam, Baby Monica
Director: Suresh
 He's the new cop on the block and brooks no interference. Whether it be from powerful politicians, influential businessmen, or unscrupulous politicians like Rajendran. Dreaded by the law-breakers, he's a messiah to the supressed and the downtrodden. Muthusamy is the new assistant commissioner of police (ACP) in the city. So what's new in this cop story, one might ask. Quite a few things, as you'll discover.
Like the tricks the ACP has up his sleeve, to bring down his tormentors - literally. The cop flings a pot, a bunch of coconuts, or anything else he can lay his hands on at the fleeing baddie. The unsuspecting baddie, thinking he's out of range of the ACP, is in for an unpleasant surprise when he has these unlikely 'missiles' flung at his back, bringing him down with a thud!
Then there is the ACP's aggressive postures, that further drive terror into the hearts of hardened criminals, even seasoned lawyers taking to their heels when he threateningly advances towards them. Like it happens with three high-profile lawyers, who'd come with the bail order to take away Rajendran who is in jail. The lawyers run for their lives when the ACP gets physical with them, and threatens them with one of his 'missiles'. With the ACP's powers not clearly defined, he's allowed to get away with whatever he does!
The final touch is the closing scene - for Rajendran. He is now out of jail and is a minister. He sets his eyes on the ACP and makes a frantic, futile bid to escape. The poor man hadn't reckoned with the ACP's way with 'missiles'. The furious cop pulls out a cloth, dips it in petrol, twists and flings it at the fleeing man, yards away. The cloth wraps itself around Rajendran's head like a turban. The ACP then lights a cigarette, and flings that too at the man, the cigarette hitting the turban and torching Rajendran. Not that the man didn't deserve it!
Thanikabharani (his first Tamil film) projects the meanness and the wickedness of the character so convincingly that Rajendran seemed to deserve whatever was flung at him!
What's a cop without a mannerism? So the ACP has this occasional habit of twitching his neck - a bit laboriously, one thought - the sound of crunching bones there for added effect. The cop does look grim and stiff most of the times. But then it's probably to keep up with the title.
It must be admitted that with his well-toned physique, Sharat Kumar does cut a handsome figure as the hardened cop. Pranathi''s (from Malayalam films) natural sweet disposition impresses, she playing the ACP's wife. Laila gives more comic relief than Vadivelu as the timid constable holding a torch for the ACP. The final twist in the tale is appreciable.
Malini Mannath
Published on 16th March, 2004
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