Imagine it’s the 2010s. You are back from school, and you switch on the TV, you flip through the channels only to land on one showing comedy clips. You know which movie it is from, the dialogue by heart, and yet it brings laughter every time you watch. Now, imagine watching a typical Sundar C film, which is known for its comedy, 12 years after it was actually made.
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Madha Gaja Raja follows the story of Raja (Vishal) attending a wedding at his school teacher’s house, where he reunites with his school gang. One of his friends (Santhanam) is going through marriage issues, while the other two are involved in a case that concerns business tycoon Karkuvel Vishwanath (Sonu Sood).
Raja is a man who stands up for his friends. Be it his friend’s marriage issues or problems of life and death, he is just there. When he clashes with Karkuvel Vishwanath, who has crazy connections with politicians, he faces an initial setback. The rest of the story is about Raja’s face-off with Vishwanath and how he manages to defeat him and help his friends.
Madha Gaja Raja, directed by Sundar C, should be strictly seen from the 2012 lens. Over several decades, director Sundar C’s films have always entertained fans. The major reason is the effortless comedy by a horde of comedians, who are still part of his movies. Madha Gaja Raja is no different. Comedy is its biggest strength. In today’s times, it could be viewed as regressive and problematic. But, even Sundar C’s latest films face similar problems.
Here’s the trailer:
The 2012-film has many nostalgic templates that will take you on a trip down memory lane. From jumping to destination songs to a separate comedy track, there’s everything you need in Madha Gaja Raja that will keep you entertained. It is Santhanam who powers through the film with his comedy. It is also a reminder of how he has been sorely missed as a comedian ever since he became a hero.
Madha Gaja Raja is nostalgic not just in terms of its treatment but also through cameo roles featuring late actor-directors Manivannan and Manobala. The entire stretch featuring Santhanam and Manobala, reminds you of Magalir Mattum’s Nagesh, will leave you in splits. However, when Madha Gaja Raja takes itself seriously, the film falters. The second half, where audiences are forced to watch Raja and Vishwanath’s face-off, drags as the stakes are low.
The heroines in Madha Gaja Raja – Anjali and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, are there to pander to the male gaze. Their roles don’t have much agency either.
Madha Gaja Raja, even though outdated and politically incorrect, manages to bring much-needed laughs as it reminds you of the good old days when all you needed was a comedy film to unwind.
2.5 out of 5 stars for Madha Gaja Raja.
This post was originally published on here
