Don Review: Don is a mashup of 3 idiots & Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga that works in parts

Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Priyanka Mohan, SJ Suryah, Samuthirakani
Music: Anirudh
Direction: Cibi Chakaravarthi

In the year 2012, Nanban was released which was a remake of the Hindi blockbuster 3 idiots. The film starts off with two friends going in search of their friend while they reminisce about their college memories. Don also has a similar structure. Chakravarthi (Sivakarthikeyan) is on his way to his college and during this journey he rewinds about his life. Not just the structure of the screenplay, but also the messaging on how one should pursue their own passion instead of following the herd of engineering is similar. We also have a strict, authoritative professor similar to Virus (from 3 idiots).

But Don is packaged in a more conventional way. We follow the hero instead of three characters. We get 5 songs including the hero introduction song and a pointless romantic song right after the interval. And the main antagonist is not the professor unlike 3 idiots. It’s Chakravarthi’s father (Samuthirakani). Since birth, he is always harsh towards Chakravarthi and insists on studying well to have a good life. Chakravarthi decides to prove his dad wrong by achieving big on something without studying. Hence his quest for his talent and all the ruckus in the college. 

The film has a mix of great and dull moments. Sivakarthikeyan was in the finest form. I really loved how his voice was more convincing for the school kid getup than his physical looks. His amazing mimicry talent put to right use. Also he imitates Raghuvaran whenever he says, “Quiet”. The film is filled with Tamil movie references which were quite enjoyable. I laughed out loud during the Baasha scene. The sequence of students testing the professors was a laughter riot. The scenes between Chakravarthi and Bhoominathan (SJ Suryah) are also crackers. SJ Suryah’s over the top performance works well for the comedy. 

To all these great moments, the film has dull moments. The entire romantic track was underwhelming. Even the friendship is under explored. There is a rivalry shown between Chakaravarthi and a few other guys which doesn’t have a conclusion. But the final act got me all emotional. The story of a father-son relationship and the sacrifices of a father makes one tear up. Though this strongly reminded me of Sivakarthikeyan’s earlier film ‘Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga’, this film’s emotions work better as its consistent right from the beginning. With all its flaws, the film makes you emotional at the end and that is a win. 

Verdict: Don is a mashup of 3 idiots & Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga that works in parts