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| A still from the movie 'Singapore Saloon'. |
In the realm of Singapore Saloon, director Gokul collaborates with RJ Balaji, steering away from the allure of big Tamil stars that previously failed at the box office. This time, the duo endeavors to merge Gokul's directorial flair with RJ Balaji's comedic prowess. However, the burning question remains: do their creative forces harmonize seamlessly?
The narrative unfolds with RJ Balaji's character, Kathir, unveiling a shocking proclamation of impending suicide, laying bare the reasons behind this drastic decision. The film revolves around Kathir's fervent aspiration to ascend as a distinguished hairstylist. Growing up in a provincial town, he immerses himself in the ambiance of Chacha's (Lal) barbershop, the Singapore Saloon, alongside his friend Basheer (Kishen Das).
Despite his passion, Kathir succumbs to societal pressures, obtaining an engineering degree. His arduous journey to establish his dream salon, housed in a structure resembling Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands, is fraught with financial tribulations and unforeseen calamities.
Director Gokul endeavors to craft an underdog tale, tracing the journey of a young man daring to manifest his dreams. The initial half exudes levity, chronicling Kathir's school days and initial romantic inclinations. Sathyaraj injects additional humor when on screen. However, the second half adopts a more sentimental and saccharine tone.
The narrative's patchy writing and reliance on clichéd underdog tropes fail to evoke genuine empathy or support for Kathir. While sporadic scenes may elicit empathy or laughter, the overarching theme of realizing one's dreams becomes repetitive through various characters. The film intermittently lags, and the protagonist, portrayed by RJ Balaji, maintains a morose demeanor without instilling hope in the audience.
Performance-wise, RJ Balaji delivers a commendable portrayal of the hairstylist, yet the character's depth could have benefited from more nuanced writing. Notably, Sathyaraj shines in scenes alongside his sons-in-law, infusing humor through impeccable delivery and expressions. Kishen Das and Robo Shankar aptly fit their roles, while Meenakshi Chaudhary's character lacks substantial depth.
The music and songs by Vivek-Mervin hover around the average mark, lacking memorable impact. Cameos by Arvind Swami and Lokesh Kanagaraj inject excitement, enhancing certain segments.
In essence, Singapore Saloon attempts to champion hairstyling as an honorable profession, shedding light on the deserving respect for hairstylists. However, director Gokul's ambition to amalgamate diverse elements within the film proves to be its unfortunate downfall.
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