2 Average

Often Indian cinema is sheer fantasy, trying to spin the unbelievable into a story and script. And some Tamil films -- at least those that step into the genre of fantasy -- can be just unbearable to watch. Vijay, fantasy adventure Puli, despite all the hype it created in its release weeks, is utterly disappointing.There is one scene early on in the movie where the general chops off the arm of a man (Prabhu) who had been courageous enough to seek the Queen's help to end the tyranny. It reminded me of Gabbar Singh and that famous shot where he decapitates Thakur's arm. But Sudeep is no Amjad Khan.At 154 minutes, Puli is swamped with songs -- some of them titillating skins shows, and a few others, a mere ploy to get Maru Dheeran and his lover, Pavazhamani (Shruti Haasan), together on a romantic high. But there is little chemistry between the two, Vijay's stiffness and Haasan's laboured dialogue delivery making it just about impossible for Cupid to strike any real note.