Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra(Soorarai Pottru) Review - Glides Like An Eagle: Review

Review: A spectacular performance by Surya and inspirational script smoothly took off to the sky without any hurdles. Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020) (Also known as Soorarai Pottru) didn’t fall for traps like cringe dialogues, cliche scenes, unnecessary action scenes, like other Indian movies in this genre. It stays authentic to the story, uses brakes whenever needed, and flies like a jet at the proper time.

Inspired by the book ‘Simply Fly A Deccan Odyssey.’ An autobiographical book by Captain G. R. Gopinath, the founder of Air Deccan, also played a significant role in India’s low-cost aviation. The film follows Chandra Mahesh (played by Surya), a former air force captain who sets out to make the common man fly. By starting an airline company that is affordable to all at a low price. Chandra Mahesh is from a small village, son of a teacher; much of his motivation and persona comes from his father. Bommi (Aparna Balamurali) is the Love interest of Chandra Mahesh, who is straightforward and Independent. She starts a bakery business, supporting each other’s interests and goals. There are numerous obstacles set by Jazz airlines founder Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal). With countless difficulties ahead, did Chandra Mahesh and his friends achieve their dreams?

Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020) (Also known as Soorarai Pottru) is brilliantly scripted from start to finish. It establishes its characters and their motivation, impactfully, without any cheesy scenes. The dialogues were thoughtfully written, like in scenes where Mahesh proves his idea of low-cost aviation or conversation about his passion is attention-grabbing. Mahesh’s backstory with his family, which is the main inspiration to his idea and the movie’s heart and backbone, is well written. Not only the screenplay, the direction from Sudha Kongara is also well handled. Personally, I didn’t like her previous film Guru (2017), which felt so flimsy, cliché. However, in this film, she delivered emotion and authenticity in every scene that justifies this inspiring story in her brilliant direction. The cinematography by Niketh Boomi luminously captured the hardship of characters and setting of the 1980s.

Undoubtedly the alluring aspect of the movie is Suriya’s performance. Suriya has always been supportive of distinctive stories, and as all, we know he is a phenomenal actor. From Pithamagan (2003) to Surya S/O Krishnan (2008) to 24 (2016 film), he proved his acting abilities and selection of movies. With this film Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020), he powerfully came back from his recent let-down movies like NGK, Kaappaan. In this Movie, Suriya engages the audience with his raw emotional performance. Showing despair when losing to opponents or outraged in an argument with Boomi, his father, or joyful feeling in every scene Suriya nailed with his dynamic performance. Be cautious after one hour of the movie, where he tries to fly to his village; it will break the audience’s heart. In the hearty climactic scene, only with his expression, he conveys the character’s joy is an epic moment in the film.

Cons: The romantic arc in the film is fabulously amusing. Bhoomi’s character is not just a glamour role. It adds so much weight to the story entertainingly and emotionally. Still, editing some of the romantic scenes wouldn’t hurt in the beginning. In my second viewing, I skipped all the songs except the Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra song. I personally felt they were needless; it sidetracked the motivational aviation theme of the film. The antagonist Paresh Goswami’s character is monotonous, merely OK to this surprisingly true story.

Conclusion: Aakaasam Nee Haddhu Ra (2020) is an uplifting, inspiring film; it opens its wings with brilliant screenplay and direction. With the magnetic performance by Suriya, it glides to the sky like an eagle. A must watch movie of 2020—my rating 7.5/10.

Director: Sudha Kongara
Genre: Drama
Cast: Suriya, Madhavan, Paresh Rawal