Login/Sign Up
Critics Review
4.00
Dhanush and Mari Selvaraj's dagger against social injustice
Mari Selvaraj's Karnan is a tale weaved around social injustice & a protagonist who rises to the occasion. His writing not only dictates the narrative but captivates the viewer from the get-go. This isn't a film that will let you walk in a couple of minutes late & allow you to be okay about it. The film makes you uncomfortable & angry which is a result of empathy that is triggered by the story & the characters on the screen. (more)
Source: Meera Chithirapaavai , MovieCrow
4.00
Perfect example of good cinema
Mari Selvaraj has made sure that Kannan, the God of Mahabharata is a villain here and Karnan, the unsung hero gets enough glorification on screen. There are many metaphors including the little girl with an idol-like mask, a donkey whose legs are tied, the vulture that eats up the weak pullet, names of the village seniors, and Karnan's sword that cuts the fish in the first scene. All these metaphors either acts as an ode to Mahabharata (although the film criticizes it) or rightly amplify the screenplay.(more)
Source: Moviebuff, Sify.com
4.00
Karnan is a powerful tale of defiance against oppression
Mari Selvaraj shows that sometimes violence can also be catharsis. He makes us care for the people and feel for their struggles so much that when the entire village faces off against cops in the second half, the moment feels as exhilarating as when the one in the Avengers, when the superheroes take on the evil forces.(more)
Source: M Suganth, Times Of India
3.50
Dhanush's film is a powerful, bold portrait of caste-based riots and police brutality
Karnan raises several valid questions � all equally important- about the state of the oppressed community in our society. Through soul-stirring visuals of Theni Eswar, the film gives us a front row seat to the events that led to the infamous Kodiyankulam riots which was allegedly orchestrated by the police. The film throws the spotlight on police brutality and abuse of power but at the same time, it�s also a heart wrenching drama about Dalits being denied even their most basic needs.(more)
Source: Haricharan Pudipeddi, Hindustan Times
3.50
Dhanush and Lal make a fantastic pair in a film that resists, rises and revolts
Mari Selvaraj is, of course, angry. But he channels all that built-up rage into making a powerful piece of art. He seems to be at much more ease about his craft now. Right after Pariyerum Perumal, there was criticism of Selvaraj dumbing down the movement spearheaded by Pa Ranjith(more)
Source: Srivatsan, The Hindu
3.25
Dhanush and Mari deliver a strong statement against oppression through Karnan. Must watch.
It's impossible to imagine anyone except Dhanush as Karnan. His screen presence provides enough swagger to the action sequences while his acting in the other scenes melt your heart. He fits perfectly into the character designed by Mari. Among other actors, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan and Lakshmipriyaa Chandramouli score in almost every scene they appear. (more)
Source: Behindwoods Review Board, Behindwoods.com
4.50
Dhanush, Mari Selvaraj deliver an audacious film about a community�s fight for dignity
Karnan is not the story of one person affecting another person in one incident. It is the culmination of historical violence meted out to an entire community by those in power. To understand Karnan's rage, we need to see how everyone disregards his entire existence every day. The lack of a bus stop is a metaphor. What Selvaraj wants us to see is the cruelty that every one of us is capable of, even when the odds are truly low.(more)
Source: Ranjani Krishnakumar, Firstpost.com
4.00
Mari Selvaraj's dance of defiance makes for glorious cinema
The real pleasures of Karnan aren't these mass moments though; it's the film's love and empathy for a trampled people and their way of life. It presents with such detail their music, devotion, ritual, dance� why, even their gambling. The story is hardly revolutionary, even if it is about one. And yet, it�s astonishing what Mari does with this rather contained premise, and how he brings in the emotions and the majesty befitting a premise far vaster in scope and scale. This loftiness in execution documents the dehumanisation of so many people among and around us, and in a way that is deeply affecting.(more)
Source: Sudhir Srinivasan, CinemaExpress.com
3.25
Dhanush's top-class performance and Mari Selvaraj's outstanding execution make Karnan a brilliant film!
Mari Selvaraj is clear in his intentions and knows what he wants to tell. He makes good use of the film language and this is yet another film that says education is important more than anything. Mari also leaves his stamp with good usage of metaphors. He has used Gods as a metaphor and it gives you goosebumps at several places. If you felt energized after seeing Karuppi painted in blue colour, running towards Pariyan with so much love, get ready for such moments in Karnan, as well. The film ends on a fantastic high and it makes you feel empathetic and energized. The emotions peak at the final act and it has been packed neatly. (more)
Source: Editorial Board, galatta.com