Gatta Kusthi movie review: Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vishnu Vishal provide wholesome entertainment in this engaging fare

3.5/5

Story: An amateur kabaddi player from Tamil Nadu and a professional wrestler from Kerala get hitched with blessings from their families. However, little did they know that their respective family members had hidden a few crucial pieces of information about each other from them. The young couple with contrasting behaviour decides to separate after they find it difficult to lead a life together. The influence of a few others on them makes things worse. Later, the couple stuns everyone with their decision to take on each other in a wrestling competition. Will they be able to forget their differences and lead a happy life again?      

Review: Chella Ayyavu's Gatta Kusthi is a multi-genre film; it begins with Keerthi (Aishwarya Lekshmi), an avid wrestler from Palakkad, Kerala, who is keen on making it big in her profession despite most of her family members disapproving it. Just when we think we have figured the film to be a sports drama, the director comes with a surprise.

The movie is also a family drama which involves ample emotions. The filmmaker throws such similar surprises often, keeping the audience engaged, thanks to an intriguing screenplay which has several relatable sequences and conflicts. Having said that, the movie isn't free from flaws.

Veera (Vishnu Vishal), who hails from Pollachi, is a happy-go-lucky guy who considers kabaddi as one of his hobbies. His uncle (Karunas) and friend (Kaali Venkat) are searching for a bride for him, but Veera has unreasonable demands which are driving them crazy.

Upon the recommendation of an acquaintance (Munishkanth), Veera meets Keerthi, but the latter's relatives decide not to reveal her passion for wrestling to the prospective groom's family. Eventually, the two of them get hitched and lead a happy life until Veera learns about her penchant for the sport. All hell breaks loose when he comes to know about her arrogant behaviour. The couple decides to call it quits and takes on each other in a wrestling tournament.

What works in Gatta Kusthi is the amalgamation of commercial elements which keeps the audience hooked to a good extent. The manner in which fun-filled sequences are presented with fine performances from Vishnu and Aishwarya complement the narration.

An intercut sequence featuring a few husbands and wives complaining about the lack of responsibility among their respective spouses stands out owing to its staging and hilarious one-liners. Karunas and Kaali Venkat put their best foot forward and bring the house down. The interval episode, involving an action sequence of Aishwarya, is a roller-coaster ride, and offers nothing, but wholesome entertainment.

It is Aishwarya who dominates several scenes with her convincing portrayal of a young woman who is torn between chasing her dreams and being a dutiful wife. Vishnu, on the other hand, deserves appreciation for taking the backseat and allowing the female lead to take charge in a few sequences in a movie which has also been bankrolled by him.

It is primarily the lead actors who entertain viewers for most of its part, but the likes of Redin Kingsley, Munishkanth and Lizzie Antony, too, make their presence felt. Anbariv's stunt choreography is another striking aspect in the movie.

All said and done, the conflict in the pre-climax portions end up being predictable and melodramatic. A fight sequence in the climax appears forced and a dialogue on women empowerment from Vishnu that follows is relevant, but preachy. The songs in the film are neatly shot, but act as speed breakers. Some of the conflicts in the latter half appear solid on surface level, but the execution falters.

Verdict: Gatta Kusthi succeeds as a neat family entertainer that manages to impress viewers with engaging emotions, conflicts and a couple of action scenes.