Sivakumarin Sabadham review: Hiphop Tamizha Adhi’s film is inconsistently funny

Hiphop Tamizha Adhi is the kind of actor who does not take his films seriously, and neither should you. This applies to his directorial debut film, Sivakumarin Sabadham (2021), too. Adhi comes up with yet another movie that relies on mindless comedy and a predictable plot about a reckless youngster finding purpose in life at a crucial juncture.

Sivakumarin Sabadham, in spite of not having a great story and being funny only inconsistently, still manages to strike a chord with its light-hearted treatment. Adhi plays Sivakumar, who comes from a renowned family of silk weavers in Kancheepuram, a family that once wove sarees for temples and royals.

But the family’s legacy has fizzled out over the years and Siva’s grandfather, Varadharajan, is the last weaver in the illustrious line, struggling to make ends meet.

Varadharajan feels Siva won’t make anything of his life if he stays on in Kancheepuram; therefore, he sends him to stay in Chennai with his uncle Murugan, who is married to the daughter of textile showroom owner Chandrasekaran. Varadharajan and Chandrasekaran, who once worked together, have a history between them. When Siva learns of it, he vows to win back his family's lost legacy.

In this otherwise predictable story about romance, friendship and family, the Kancheepuram weavers' backdrop brings in some much-needed drama to keep viewers engaged. The intent to shine the spotlight on the lives of silk weavers is praiseworthy, but the film could have used this subplot more effectively.

The film shifts gears and gets a tad serious in the second half but fails to maintain the tone to leave a lasting impact.

Kathir and Rahul, who rose to fame with his pranks on YouTube, shine throughout the film and keep it from dipping when the story takes a back seat. Some comic stretches are plain silly, but if you are someone who watches a lot of shows on YouTube, you will be smiling and having a good time.

As an actor, Adhi is well aware of his limitations and plays to his strengths. Even as a filmmaker, he delivers what is expected of him by his target audience, which is mostly college-goers.