The hype surrounding Vidaamuyarchi, the latest Tamil action thriller directed by Magizh Thirumeni and starring Ajith Kumar, Trisha Krishnan, and Arjun Sarja in the lead roles, is huge. The movie was filmed largely in Azerbaijan, with some portions shot in Thailand. The film promises to depart from the typical mass-action hero image of Ajith and give him a more serious role with character depth and emotions. The movie was released on February 6th, and I went in with pretty high expectations. Did it meet them? Well, that’s what I’m here to break down.
The film is a tale of two Indian souls, Arjun(Ajith Kumar) and Kayal(Trisha Krishnan), who live in Baku, Azerbaijan. They have been married for 12 years and now mutually decide they aren’t compatible and look for a divorce. Kayal wants to go back to her parent’s place in Tbilisi. Arjun insists on driving Kayal there for one last trip together. On their journey, they encounter a series of unexpected events. After almost meeting with a fatal accident, the couple encounters several problems and suspenseful situations. At a gas station, Kayal meets another Tamil couple, Rakshith(Arjun Sarja) and Deepika(Regina Cassandra), and they become friendly. When Arjun’s car breaks down, Rakshith and Deepika offer Kayal a ride, but she disappears. The rest of the movie is just Arjun trying to search for his wife and regain lost love.
The plot and the narration of the movie are quite lousy. There is no continuity between incidents; sometimes the narration is slow and subsequently becomes tiresome. I felt that the plot was too simple and had no twists and turns to it. A film based on a broken marriage and a kidnapping does not emerge emotionally on the screen. The characters don’t get enough stories to share with us so that we can connect with them. The film became predictable at some point, though. One positive point is that the director has kept the story authentic and didn’t try to add any masala elements like unnecessary songs or side stories. Ajith Kumar shines as the lead actor and shows great versatility in different scenes. However, the rest of the cast needed to catch up.
Poor pacing and storyline don’t mean the film didn’t have any standout elements. A lot of things will make you watch the movie till the end. Ajith’s portrayal of Arjun is a definite highlight. He moves away from the typical mass hero image, delivering a more nuanced and underplayed performance. The film is also visually appealing, thanks to great cinematography and set locations in Azerbaijan. Even though the plot has too many loose ends, the director still keeps us hooked on Kayal’s mysterious kidnapping till the end. And lastly, Anirudh Ravichander’s music elevates every scene.
Is the film worth watching in the theatres? I would say it is a decent one-time watch if you are a fan of Tamil cinema and love Ajith Kumar’s acting. The storyline does not have too much to offer but still keeps you hooked till the end. Do not expect a lot of action and fast-paced scenes. The movie takes its time and makes sure you enjoy every bit of the cinematography and dialogue writing. However, if you’re looking for a gripping thriller with a strong narrative, you might be disappointed.