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REVIEW

Kanal Kannan has returned as the leading man in the action thriller Sankarankovil. Broadening his role, Kanal Kannan has also stepped in as the producer (under his wife's name) and story writer for this film.

 

A stranger Kathir (Kanal Kannan) lands up at Sankaran Kovil, a serene southern village. Kathir searches for a job at this unpromising place, and finds one as a helper in Killi Pillai's (Ganja Karuppu) dairy farm. Kathir is a merry young man but gets flashes of his sad and oppressed childhood, which has its roots in Sankaran Kovil. Kathir isn't a complete stranger to the village nor has he come here looking for a living; he has an ulterior motive which involves the whole village.

 

Mahalingam (Ponvannan) and his brother form the power centre of Sankaran Kovil, against whom no one dares to rise. Mahalingam and his brother, widely known and feared as the Lingam brothers, are protective of their college going daughter Valli (Roobika). Anyone who tries flirting with Valli gets roughed up by the Lingam brothers. Due to this, Valli leads a life totally untouched by reality, but longs for all the fun enjoyed by girls her age.

 

Kathir goes in search of Valli, forcefully grabs her and stuffs the money into her hands. The Lingam brothers learn of this and send their henchmen to kill Kathir, who pounds the goons to pulp. Kathir then humbly approaches the Lingam brothers, apologizes and informs them of the misunderstanding. The Lingam brothers, impressed with his courage, take him into their group. This was exactly what Kathir wanted when he arrived at Sankaran Kovil, namely to settle his long standing scores with them. Who is Kathir? What ill will does he hold against the Lingam brothers? How will he extract his revenge? What is his connection to Valli? All will be revealed in this rural themed action thriller.

 

Though Sankaran Kovil has nothing new to offer, it manages to entertain the audience with the thriller element The movie and Kanal Kannan's acting remind us of the loyal servant's role played by Rajinikanth in Muthu and Arunachalam. Kanal Kannan's on screen chemistry with Roobika is poor. The chemistry Rajni shared with heroines half his age was far better. The prostrating loyal servant, ready to give up his life for his master, protecting his master's family and property, "I don't want trouble, but you will not be spared if you are looking for trouble," these features in Kanal Kannan's role remind of Rajinikanth in similar roles.

 

Ganja Karuppu, partnering with Singampuli, presents a mediocre comedy with their antics at the dairy farm. Veterans Nasser and Prabhu play crucial roles which are revealed in the climax. An obvious Kanal Kannan influence, fight scenes dominate the screen.

 

Ramathulasi's camera is instrumental in capturing the serene countryside of Sankaran Kovil, which adds lusciousness to this rural themed movie. Director Palanivel Raja has made Sankaran Kovil as entertaining as possible even with an overused story line.

 

CAST & CREW