Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu

Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (also known as Gundu: The Last Bomb of the Second World War) is a 2019 Tamil-language drama film directed by Athiyan Athirai. The movie features Dinesh Ravi (also known as Attakathi Dinesh), Anandhi, and Munishkanth in significant roles.

The movie’s storyline revolves around socio-political issues and historical events, especially the lingering aftermaths of World War II. As the title suggests, the film notably depicts a present-day situation that is uncomfortably linked to a forgotten chunk of the Second World War, with the narrative traversing through the socio-economic lives of its characters.

The movie introduces us to Selvam (Dinesh), a hardworking lorry driver who works for a callous contractor who is also a scrap dealer. The dealer often procures decommissioned vehicles from the Indian navy, dismantles, and sells them as scrap. Most of the storyline is engaged with the circumstances revolving around an unexploded bomb (the last bomb, as per the title) that, unknowingly to Selvam , was transported in his truck along with the scrap. The movie smartly combines the notion of forgotten history and its ironic pretense in the present scenario to construct an engaging narrative.

Anandhi plays the character of Chithra, an activist and a documentary filmmaker, who is in a relationship with Selvam. The film skillfully explores their bond without allowing it to overshadow the real crux of the story, their relationship provides a parallel narrative that deals with casteism, the notion of honor, and societal norms.

On the other hand, Munishkanth plays a versatile role as a retired military bomb-skilled disposal/defusing expert who is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. His character holds a significant place in the storyline, contributing to the film's climax and unfolding many underlying poetic significances linked with war, humans, and their shared history.

Gundu, precisely, has an eloquent plot. A life-threatening bomb has been unknowingly transported in a truck driven by a young, impoverished man who battles societal pressure and caste-based politics. With a socio-economic life backdrop, the movie also tackles issues like casual labor exploitation and unemployment, which are subtly embedded within the dialogues and plots with significant emphasis on workers' rights.

One of the highlights of the film is its approach to warn us about the still lingering shadows of war and violence and concurrently about people's defiance to stand against the socioeconomic and political pressures. History, as depicted in the movie, isn't something that merely happened in the past; instead, it's also something that holds the potential to reemerge and defines the future. Eventually, the film reminds us that deactivating a bomb isn't about cutting a wire, but more about dismantling the mounting chaos our societal norms have created.

Another factor worth noticing is the film's cinematography by Kishor Kumar. The dramatic angular shots and the stylish dark lighting, especially during the climax sequence, offer an edge-of-the-seat engaging experience. The stunning visuals are complemented by the music score by 'Tenma'. The soulful songs and the evocative background music blend perfectly well with the storytelling, amplifying the cinematic experience.

In conclusion, Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu succeeds in delivering thoughtful entertainment. From its strong plot to its effective cinematography and engaging storytelling, the film is a must-watch for viewers who like intense plotlines with a sociopolitical edge. It offers an unconventional cinematic experience driven by pivotal performances and a deep-seated message inherent to socio-political threads. It is well crafted and subtly mixed with striking dialogues and narration that commendably explores and reveals the intermixing of the bygone historical scenario with the present-day context.