Dec. 10, 2021|India|137 Min.|n/A
Genre: Action;Crime;Drama;South;Indian;Thriller
Description: Muddy, released in 2021, is promoted as India’s first 4×4 mud race film. The movie, directed by debutant Dr. Pragabhal, showcases the director’s passion for the subject, as he spent years researching mud races. The film features thrilling off-roading sequences that capture the excitement of these races. However, the story itself struggles to maintain coherence, as the focus on action overshadows the narrative.
The plot revolves around Muthu (Yuvan Krishna), a hardworking individual who transports forest wood through challenging terrains. His estranged cousin, Karthi (Ridhaan Krishna), has a rivalry with Tony (Amith Sivadas Nair) both in college and in mud races. Karthi’s behavior is puzzling, as he acts like an extortionist goon despite later being revealed as an engineer. The film attempts to follow the formula of popular racing franchises like *Dhoom* and *The Fast and The Furious* but falls short due to poorly developed characters.
Muthu is portrayed as the hero, but other characters, including Karthi, Tony, and Muthu’s mentor Noah (Renji Panicker), lack depth. Karthi, despite progressing into a secondary hero, is difficult to sympathize with given his violent actions, such as crippling Tony in a race. Similarly, Noah’s involvement in illegal sandalwood transportation makes him an unlikable figure.
The cinematography by KG Ratheesh and editing by San Lokesh stand out, effectively capturing the adrenaline of the races. However, the soundtrack by Ravi Basrur becomes overwhelming with excessive loudness. Despite its flaws in storytelling, Muddy succeeds in delivering visually engaging racing sequences.
Cast director: Pragabhal
Cast actor: Yuvan Krishna, Ridhaan Krishna, Anusha Suresh, Amit Sivadas Nair, Hareesh Peradi, I. M. Vijayan, Renji Panicker, Manoj Guinness, Sunil Sukhada, Shobha Mohan
Original name: മഡ്ഡി