Echcharikkai (Echarikkai) review: Here's what critics and audience say about Sathyaraj's film

Sarjun KM's Echcharikkai is a crime thriller starring Sathyaraj, Varalaxmi and Kishore in the lead roles. Vivek Rajagopal, Yogi Babu, Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli and others are part of the supporting cast. The movie has Sundaramurthy KS's music, Sudarshan Srinivasan's cinematography and Karthik Joseph's editing.

Story:

An alcoholic man kills his wife when she refuses to give him money. On learning about his death, his brother-in-law David (Kishore) murders him in the presence of Thomas (Vivek Rajagopal).

The killer asks his nephew to confess to his crime but he betrays and David ends up getting a life imprisonment. After coming out of the jail, he meets Thomas and they plan together to make big money by kidnapping a builder's daughter Shwetha (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar).

The builder now seeks the help of retired DIG Natraj (Sathyaraj), who has his own personal problems. Will the former cop be able to solve the case? If yes, how? Answers to these questions form the crux of the story.

Review:

The movie is getting negative reviews from the critics. Going by the critics' response, the screenplay has let down the film. The backstories have also come under severe criticism. However, Echcharikkai has fine performances from Sathyaraj and Kishore, however, Varalaxmi's role has not been well-written.

"Generally, filmmakers don't elaborate the backstory of antagonists but Sarjun takes time to spend the conflict exists in the relationship of David and Thomas which is quite good. But the problem here is the unwanted long flashback scenes for Varalakshmi and Sathyaraj. While the kidnap episode and David-Thomas' relationship are inspired, what really worked in favor of the film is the Sathyaraj's portions," the reviewer from Sify writes.

The Indian Express critics said: "But the film falls to chartered routes, establishing archetypes, but never providing the depth I needed to be engaged and convinced. Some of the plot transgressions, so glaringly two-dimensional, are further hampered by some done and dusted clichés."

Check out the responses from social media users:

Haricharan Pudipeddi: Quite enjoyed @sarjun34's #Echarikkai, which works both as a good kidnap thriller and a fairly engaging emotional drama.

@varusarath and #Sathyaraj turn in earnest performances, but the pick of the actors for me is @actorkishore. Go for it.