Siva Karthikeyan, Fahad Fazil, Cinematography, Art DirectionSiva Karthikeyan, Fahad Fazil, Cinematography, Art DirectionNayantara wasted, Songs, Lengthy running time, Slow narration
Post the huge success of Thani Oruvan that eliminated the tag of Remake Raja, and post the humongous victory of Remo in which he played a role with female look, director Mohan Raja and Siva Karthikeyan have joined hands for an action packed entertainer with a social message in Velaikkaran. Here's team AP Herald's Velaikkaran review.
Arivu is a slum youngster who is forced to join a corporate company due to family situations. But he faces another demons as he finds Corporate world is more cruel and ruthless. He faces Aadhi who is an ambitious capitalist and how he faces off him and proves workers dominate the captailists forms the rest of the story.
Siva Karthikeyan for the first time has tried to come out of his comfort zone of comedy and has performed a role which is serious for most part, emoting beautifully while also excelling in delivering intense dialogues and excelling in dances and action.
While he's a livewire, providing him a perfect foil is Fahadh Faasil, who on his Tamil debut, delivers a stunning performance. With his cool, suave looks and subtle expressions, the handsome actor oozes Villainy with his eyes and almost steals the thunder from Siva in every sequence featuring them together. A warm welcome to Tamil cinema, to the classy Actor who's strikingly menacing in Velaikkaran. Lady superstar Nayanthara isn't just an eye candy, but has got a solid role to play, and impresses with her histrionics besides looking absolutely gorgeous in the songs. Prakashraj and Sneha prove their calibre in their roles that add pace to the screenplay, while Vijay vasanth plays an interesting role with elan. Robo Shankar, RJ And Sathish tickle the funny bone, while the rest of the cast including Thambi Ramaiya, Rohini, Aruldoss, Kali Venkat is adequate.
Anirudh impresses with his scintillating BGM, while of his songs, Iraiva is a raging number and Karuthavanlam Galeejam is a foot tapping Powerful number that sets the whole theatre on fire with its uninhibited energy, turning the theatre to a dance floor in festive mood. Ramji's Cinematography is top notch as it perfectly captures the lifestyle of the oppressed and suppressed, while also depicting the contrasting lavish lifestyle of the employers and the difference between them, while also capturing the visual beauty in the colourful songs. Editing by Ruben is taut, and makes Velaikkaran a gripping and pulsating action thriller despite its extensive runtime.
After playing with a good vs bad theme of a cop hunting a genius medical mafia Kingpin in Thani Oruvan, director Mohan Raja has come up with an interesting flick and a most needed premise at moment, that of workers being exploited and suppressed, and with his fictional take , of one among the workers rising from the bottom to topple the greedy management.
First things first, Mohan Raja must be appreciated for his terrific casting choice of pitting Siva Karthikeyan against Fahadh Faasil as two warring men of different ideologies, as Siva excels in his transformation as a friendly worker to a revolting fighter Arivu and equally impressive is the natural performer Fahadh who transforms from a friendly boss, to exposing his dark side.
Raja perfectly makes use of the two performers In his gripping screenplay that is laced with interesting twists and provides a wholesome entertainment with a relevant social message, without getting preachy at any point. With a powerful support cast, top notch technicians like Anirudh, Ramji and Ruben , besides rich production values by RD Raja, Mohan Raja strikes gold once again with this powerful Velaikkaran!!
Sivakarthikeyan,Fahadh Faasil,Nayanthara,Mohan Raja,R.D. Raja,Anirudh RavichanderSiva Karthikeyan's big ticket to superstardom, ably supported by the massy screenplay by Mohan Raja and an equally stunning powerhouse performance by Fahadh Faasil.
