Directed By: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Produced By: S.R.Prabhu
Starring: Karthi, Narain
Music By: Sam C.S.
Cinematography By: Sathyan Sooryan
Edited By: Philimon Raj
Production Company: Dream Warriors
Release Date: 25 October, 2019
Running Time: 147 Minutes

iQlikMovies Rating: 3/5

Right from the beginning of his career, Actor Karthi has been picking up some interesting and offbeat stories like Yuganiki Okkadu, Naa Peru Siva, Awaara and Khakee. All of those films indicate his taste when it comes to doing films. But, the actor seems to have set his eyes on commercial projects in the recent past. As a result, some of his recent projects ended up as big disasters at the box-office. Quickly realizing his mistakes, Karthi has gone back to picking the scripts which he likes rather than relying on commercial movies. So, did Karthi able to score a hit with Khaidhi or not?

Story:
The police authorities seize drugs worth 800 Crores and store it in the SP office. A gang enters into play with a view to getting back the drugs from cops. A police officer attempts to stop this gang and in an unexpected manner, he takes the help of Dilli (played by Karthi). Dilli, a prisoner who is out of jail after serving life imprisonment, lives with a wish to see his daughter. But, due to the word given to police officials, Dilli faces several problems and you will have to watch the film to know his troubles!

Analysis:
Khaidhi narrates the story that happens for four hours and the director runs the screenplay at a very fast pace. How the lead actor gets into trouble and the struggles and accidents he faces to get out of it is the main plot. The director ensures to thrill audiences right from the first scene. Drugs worth 800 Cr being seized, the way how Villian gang plans to win it back, party at SP bungalow and the introduction of hero happens swiftly. Karthi cannot be seen for the first 20 minutes, but the story manages to run with a good intensity until the interval block. The filmmaker made sure there is no scene that is irrelevant to the story.

The story of Khaidhi is simple, but there are a lot of complexities inside it. While dealing with this kind of script, it isn't easy to maintain an emotion. It's very tough for a director to come up with such a tight screenplay and yet design it without any faults. But, director Kanagaraj Lokesh gives us a sense that he's prolonged the second half of film. He again gains command on the story ahead of climax and raises interest by making us think 'why Dilli had to do it?'.

So, there could be a sequel to it and another big thing is it will not just present the chivalry of the hero but also showcases how a group of friends stuck in an unexpected problem, a newly joined constable and sacrifice of a police officer who works undercover. All their stories are strongly presented by the filmmaker.

Artists:
Karthi's acting is highly natural and he makes us feel that this is how a prisoner who served in jail could be. He has appropriately portrayed the role of a prisoner in all possible ways- eating style, walking style and attitude. Apart from Karthi, the rest of the artists are fresh faces and they did their part as per the director's demand.

Technicalities:
It's a director's film and all other departments have complimented the vision of the filmmaker. The camera work and background score are very brilliant. Since it is the story that happens overnight, the darkness has become part of the movie.

Plus Points:
Screenplay
Karthi acting
Technicalities

Minus Points:
Excessive Action episodes

Final Verdict: Realistic Approach.