Daylight Robbery|Sep. 09, 2021|India|144 Min.|n/A
Genre: Action;Adventure;Crime;Drama;Mystery;South;Indian;Thriller
Description: Laabam is a 2021 Tamil film directed by the late SP Jhananathan, a filmmaker known for using cinema to express his ideologies. The movie carries a strong message against capitalism, highlighting how the relentless pursuit of profit leads to decisions that appear beneficial in the short term but result in long-term harm to both people and the environment.
The story focuses on Pakkiri, played by Vijay Sethupathi, the president of the farmers’ association in Peruvayal. Pakkiri aims to reclaim Panchami land taken by wealthy landlords and return it to the community for shared farming, which would benefit all the village farmers. However, his plans are challenged by Vanangamudi, portrayed by Jagapathi Babu, a powerful capitalist who wants to use the land for a lucrative bio-diesel project. With the police and politicians under his control, Vanangamudi will stop at nothing to ensure his project succeeds.
Laabam is a film driven by noble intentions, but its heavy focus on ideology and moral lessons may not resonate equally with all viewers. The protagonist, Pakkiri, is depicted as an all-knowing figure, almost god-like, who frequently educates the audience on topics like profit distribution, sugarcane farming, and land ownership politics. While these moments are informative, they often feel like an overload of information rather than seamless storytelling. Vijay Sethupathi’s performance stands out despite the film’s didactic approach, though his appearance varies from scene to scene.
Ultimately, Laabam is a thought-provoking movie with a clear message, but its success depends on how much of its preaching the audience can tolerate.
Cast director: S. P. Jananathan
Cast actor: Vijay Sethupathi, Shruti Haasan, Jagapati Babu, Kalaiyarasan, Sai Dhanshika, Ramesh Thilak, Prithvi Pandiarajan, Daniel Annie Pope, G. Marimuthu, Vincent Asokan
Original name: லாபம்