Thozhar Che Guevara

“Thozhar Che Guevara” is a Tamil action drama film by Alex A. D., starring Sathyaraj, A. Rajendran, and Cool Suresh. Produced by Anish Edmond Prabhu, the film speaks about caste-based oppression and marginalization.

“Napoleon”, an innocent young boy from the village, falls into a tragic fate after suffering an unfortunate setback. A reward is issued on his head, and he gets pushed into an unsafe survival war. At the same time, “Che Guevara” (Sathyaraj), a college teacher, is discriminated against at work. He is provided with a special tumbler and water can, and his peers constantly try to find ways to expel him. Napoleon, hoping to go to college, is bullied by his peers and disrespected by his professors. However, he perseveres, aware that his achievement brings hope to his whole community.

The movie begins with a shocking scene in which a boy is beaten to death for challenging a prominent politician, “Kalivardhan” (Anish Edmond Prabhu). This is the beginning of an exciting story on institutional oppression and the desperate battle for justice. In the meantime, Napoleon and Che Guevara are resisting the odds and attempting to respond to a difficult question: how do you resist when the system is already against you?

“Thozhar Che Guevara” has a clear message about caste discrimination, though it is wasted due to jerky narration. Though PS Ashwin's thunderous background music and well-honed action movements keep the drama alive, the movie falters to pick up steam. Some instances such as Napoleon being perplexed at resistance or Che Guevara's idea about education being used as a weapon are intriguing but lack emotional involvement.

Flawed as it is, the heart of the movie's message is still very much a part of contemporary society, exposing oppression within rural India. Sathyaraj gives a commanding performance, and the stark representation of caste violence leaves the viewer shaken. But uneven pacing and removed narration make it impossible for viewers to identify with the characters on an emotional level. “Thozhar Che Guevara” is a courageous effort with a great theme but fails to provide an emotionally engaging experience.