Genre: Thriller

Cast: Kamal Haassan, Trisha, Prakash Raj, Asha Sharat, Sampath Kishore

Director: Rajesh M Selva

Produced by: Rajkamal fiims International

Music: Jibran.

Cheekati Rajyam is Kamal's straight Telugu film after aeons. The film, which was made in Tamil as Toonga Vanam and received a good talk, is a remake of French hit Sleepless Nights. The film has the likes of Trisha, Madhushalini, Prakash Raj and Sampath Kishore to aid Kamal in the histrionics department.

Story: The film is a story of anti-narcotics cop CK Diwakar (played by Kamal Haassan) who manages to seize huge quantities of drugs. But, the drug dealer (Prakash Raj) kidnaps Kamal's son in revenge and wants the drugs back in restoring Kamal's son back to him. Diwakar, who wants to return the drugs to save his kid, cannot do so as two officers (Trisha and Kishore) keep a watch on him. How Kamal tackles the situation and how he saves his kid is the story of Cheekati Rajyam.

Acting: The film is an out and out Kamal film and his acting skills are in full display. The range of emotions that he presents is bewildering. Playing cop is no new thing Kamal and he had already done it twice. But, there are no shades of his earlier roles in this film. He sensitively presents the range of emotions of a father, whose son is in danger and an officer, who has duties and responsibilities to honour. Trisha, Prakash Raj and Sampath do full justice to their roles.

Another plus is the total absence of songs in the film. Songs would simply have hit the pace of the film. Absence of songs made the film racy. But, the background score is electrifying. Director Rajesh M Selva did a decent job and makes the film every inch a thriller. But, how this film wows the audience in B and C centres is a big questions.

Plus points: Kamal, background score, racy cinematography and picturisation.

Minus points: Some scenes in the second half are a drag, the drama is unrealistic at places.

Overall verdict: A onetime watch for thriller lovers.