Andhra Mess

Andhra Mess is a 2018 Tamil thriller film directed by debutant, Jai. The film features Raj Bharath in the lead role while Pooja Devariya, AP Shreethar, Balaji Mohan, and Kasthuri appear in supporting roles. The intriguing title, Andhra Mess, refers to a restaurant in South India, mainly in Tamil Nadu, which offers Andhra cuisine, known for its spicy and flavorful dishes.

The film is an unpredictable ride with unexpected twists and turns and throws light on the grim reality hidden underneath the glitz and glamour of the underworld. The story revolves around four petty criminals scared by their ambitions, who put their smoky dreams into action and face unanticipated problems. Their daring and mischievous acts of crime, leading to a series of comedic incidents, form the crux of Andhra Mess.

Raj Bharath, with his rugged looks and bold performance, takes up the role of a small-time gangster. His character struggles to find a balance between his ambitions and the circumstances he finds himself in, showcasing the complexities of his life. Pooja Devariya, known for her intense performances in Tamil cinema, plays a striking female lead. Her character is intricate and adds depth to the narrative. She is portrayed as a mysterious woman with an enigmatic past, who crosses paths with these small-time crooks and becomes a crucial part of their life.

The supporting cast, including Kasthuri and Balaji Mohan, portray characters that are an integral part of the underworld. Their performances add an edge and distinct flavor to the already gripping tale. Kasthuri plays an elderly role in the film, a departure from her usual glamorous characters, and astonishes with her outstanding performance.

The director, Jai, with his exceptional storytelling skills, has presented a fresh and unusual perspective on the underworld, making Andhra Mess stand apart from the typical gangster flicks. The screenplay keeps the audience guessing throughout. The movie has a non-linear narrative style, dotted with flashbacks and forwards, presenting a challenging puzzle to solve and keeping the viewer engaged.

One of the most standout aspects of Andhra Mess is the cinematography by Divakaran Mani. His robust yet visually striking camera work captures the raw and gritty atmosphere of the underworld effectively, while also gloriously showcasing the busy streets and serene beauty of Tamil Nadu. The color palette chosen for the film is soaked in shades of brown and sun-kissed yellows, which adds to the rustic charm and grit of the narrative.

The music is scored by Prashant Pillai, known for his offbeat musical style. The soundtracks of the film are so closely woven with the narrative that they work more as a part of the storytelling rather than just song sequences. From upbeat music to melancholic tunes, he covers an array of emotions with his score.

One can't merely put the film under the category of a comic-thriller. It's more than that. Andhra Mess is a stylish yet heart-rending portrayal of survival, ambition, scheming crossroads, and unspoken guilt.

The film's climax, no spoilers included, leaves the audience in awe, as it perfectly caps off the roller-coaster narrative ride they've embarked on. In its entirety, Andhra Mess is a film that explores the intricacies of the world beneath the surface, one riddled with crime and aspiration, revelation, and redemption.

Despite the dark ambiance and gritty theme, the film is sprinkled with humor which adds to its unique flavor, making Andhra Mess a deliciously thrilling cinema experience. Whether it's the unfolding plot twists, the gripping screenplay, the excellently crafted characters, or the effective storytelling, Andhra Mess serves a meal of thrill and entertainment like none other.

Viewers will be able to savour this film as it presents a vibrant blend of scorching ambition, simmering desperation, and unexpected delicacies from the Andhra Mess. With an engaging script, charged performances, excellent cinematography, and a perfectly pitched background score, Andhra Mess is indeed a spicy treat for lovers of thrillers and gangster dramas.