Nov. 19, 2021|India|138 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Crime;Drama;Mystery;South;Indian;Thriller
Description: Prabhudeva remains an underutilized actor, often considered underrated, as none of his recent films have truly showcased his full potential. His role in *Pon Manickavel*, released on Disney+ Hotstar after multiple delays, initially excited fans. However, the film falls short, relying heavily on clichés and predictable tropes typical of cop dramas. Directed by AC Mugil Chellappan, the story begins with the murder of a lawyer, prompting the police to bring Pon Manickavel (Prabhudeva) out of retirement to solve the case—a familiar “only-man-who-can-solve-this” narrative.
The plot unfolds with a series of murders, frequent suspects, and superficial twists, but fails to deliver anything fresh or impactful. Tamil cinema audiences have grown accustomed to cop films, and *Pon Manickavel* struggles to stand out, focusing more on packaging than substance. The film touches on issues like police brutality, women’s safety, and drug abuse, but these themes are only briefly addressed before the story shifts to the next subplot, lacking depth and emotional resonance.
One potentially compelling aspect is Pon Manickavel’s internal conflict—whether to serve the people or the government. Sadly, this dilemma is not explored with the sensitivity it deserves, leaving the character’s journey underdeveloped. The initial scenes are particularly slow-paced, testing the audience’s patience as Pon Manickavel leads an uninspired investigation, much to the frustration of his subordinate, played by Baahubali Prabakar, and viewers alike.
Overall, *Pon Manickavel* is a modest effort that misses the mark, offering little innovation or engagement for its audience.
Cast director: A. C. Mugil
Cast actor: Prabhu Deva, Nivetha Pethuraj, J. Mahendran, Suresh Chandra Menon, Prabhakar, Sudhanshu Pandey, Kavitha Bharathi, Udhayabanu Mageswaran, Charles Vinoth, Mukesh Tiwari
Original name: பொன் மாணிக்கவேல்