Velaikkaran Movie Review

December 22, 2017

2 minutes read

Review Overview

Performances

Screenplay and Direction

Technical Aspects and BGM

A topical, well-researched film!

Velaikkaran is a well-researched, proper mainstream film, which is insightful on the one hand and enlightening on the other. Though too much is rolled into one movie, Raja manages to show the mirror to our flawed understanding of consumerism and marketing.

Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Prakash Raj, Sneha, Vijay Vasanth, RJ Balaji, Sathish, Robo Shankar, Rohini, Sharath Lohitashwa & others

Cinematography: Ramji

Music: Anirudh

Editing: Ruben

Art Direction: T Muthuraj

Dialogues: N Baskaran

Screenplay: N Baskaran, Mohan Raja, Subha

Story & Direction: Mohan Raja

Produced by: RD Raja

Banner: 24AM Studios

Release Date: 22-12-2017

Run Time: 02:39:00

Director Mohan Raja’s Velaikkaran is yet another good example of the fact that investing ample time in researching for a script will always pay rich dividends. Raja’s ability to view things from an eagle eye is commendable. He surely deserves a pat on the back for making a relatable film that makes audiences connect, invest in his characters and think deeply about the subject. After Thani Oruvan, Raja earns respect once again with an interesting core plot. So, here’s another filmmaker who walks the talk amid droves of others who just blather.

The first half moves at a fine pace with the establishment of various characters happening in an unhurried manner. The way Raja connects the invisible dots between advertising, marketing, capitalism, and exploitation of the middle-class people with lucid demonstrations is an enjoyable screenplay magic on screen.

As an actor, Velaikkaran is easily Sivakarthikeyan’s career-best performance. He makes a convincing first attempt to sail through a serious film with great ease. From keeping the comedian in him under control to emoting with measured expressions, he has delivered a peachy role. He slips into the part of Arivu seamlessly with genuine enthusiasm and a steady intensity. It’s so good to see Sivakarthikeyan, who enjoys the love of family and kids audiences, take up a topical subject like food adulteration by steering clear of his usual antics and staying true to the character. Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam’s choreography is pure joy, and Siva leads the pack superbly with foot-tapping moves.

The only grouse in the film is the overstretched second half, where Raja makes us wonder whether he bit off more than he could chew. Although he carefully treads the path between majorly thoughtful and slightly preachy, the length of the film remains a worry and the way everything culminates in the second half is not entirely compelling.

The extensive supporting cast in the film has been utilised to a reasonable extent. Fahadh Faasil’s competence to deliver varied expressions in a role, where he has limited scope to perform or improvise, lends weight to Sivakarthikeyan’s remarks during pre-release promotions that he’s an ‘international actor.’

Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is just adequate, unlike the album which he delivered with gusto. Ramji’s camerawork captures the nitty-gritty of slum life with meaningful frames that try to take the story forward. Art director Muthuraj deserves brownie points for constructing a sprawling, realistic slum set, which encapsulates the quintessential lifestyle of slum-dwellers with flesh-and-blood details.

Toting up, Velaikkaran is a well-researched, proper mainstream film, which is insightful on the one hand and enlightening on the other. Though too much is rolled into one movie, Raja manages to show the mirror to our flawed understanding of consumerism and marketing.