Jigarthanda DoubleX

Karthik Subbaraj's film tries to be a lot of things at once. It's Jack of all and King of one -- deliciously entertaining meta cinema.

Jigarthanda DoubleX is a little bit of a Western film, but instead of a cowboy, we have local gangsters swinging their weapon of choice — be it a camera or a gun. Despite the finesse that Karthik has shown in helming this sequel, there are weak links in the film that may hinder the experience.

While it takes time to acclimatise to the narrative, Subbaraj's visual treatment and some captivating moments provide thrilling highs. However, the frequent shifts in genre, particularly in the second half, where an abundance of ideas come into play, tend to disrupt the overall experience.

'Jigarthanda DoubleX' is a tormented declaration of Karthik Subbaraj's political views, nearly three hours long, with some elements of his earlier brand of filmmaking still in tow. What really waylays DoubleX is Karthik Subbaraj's obsession with offering commentary on various crises, but the director doesn't succeed either in telling a coherent story or in highlighting injustice beyond a superficial showcase of oppression as spectacle.

However, there are too many plot points that confuse the audience as the film travels from one template to another, from the hills and tribals to gangsters to politicians and comes back to the hills. If you had watched the first chapter of Jigarthanda and expected something big from Subbaraj, you are likely to be disappointed.