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Vikram Movie Review| Fulfilling action saves this ambitious multi-starrer

Clearly, Lokesh Kanagaraj isn’t one to make a film and forget about it. It’s well-known by now—especially after Lokesh himself published a statement on the eve of Vikram’s release—that the Kamal Haasan-film shares its universe with the filmmaker’s second, Kaithi. Set after the events of Kaithi, you see Bejoy (Narain) making an extended appearance, even as some other faces from Kaithi step in and out as well.

You learn that their boss is Sandhanam (Vijay Sethupathi, playing a drug-addled, quirky boss). I liked that Sethupathi experiments with his look and dialogue delivery in this film. As for the Lokesh filmography links, there’s quite a bit from Kaithi, including the protagonist being called the Ghost. I also found it hard not to think of Master given that you see Karnan (Kamal) getting hammered for much of the first half, even though Vikram doesn’t belong in the same universe.

Vikram’s first half is a fascinating exercise, marked by surprisingly swift appearances from Kamal Haasan, playing Karnan (and later, Vikram). Lokesh may have called a lot of attention to his admiration for Kamal Haasan (he called this film a ‘fanboy sambavam’), but well into an hour of the film, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no real urgency in utilising Kamal’s physical presence. I say ‘physical’ because his spiritual presence is smattered all over the film until the interval reveal.

Lokesh takes his time to introduce you to the world, to the motivations and fears of Sandhanam, to the ruthlessness and romance of Amar. It’s fair, I think, to say that his vision here isn’t as diluted as in Master. In fact, so much does Lokesh revels in these multi-starrers that for much of this film, it feels almost like Amar were the protagonist, even as he digs into the case of the police murders. Fahadh Faasil gets ample screen time to express himself, and I enjoyed that even his relationship with Gayathrie, as hurried as it is, feels fresh.

Kamal, of course, comes in with flourish, charisma, and quirk. Most importantly, he seems to be having a lot of fun in this film. In particular, his return to action territory is enjoyable and it is much credit to his energy reserves that I bought every set-piece he’s a part of. I enjoyed the attempts to create unique set-pieces in this film. One stunt sequence happens in silence, for instance. In another, there’s the beautiful idea of a man forced to kill many men in order to be able to feed a baby. The actor’s Americanised English still seems to come in the way of organic dialogue delivery, and his Chennai Thamizh, which seemed par for the course in the pre-Ranjith era, feels a tad exaggerated now. I also didn’t care for what seemed to be a passing dig at a dwarf.

In this film with as many impressive action blocks involving Kamal Haasan, my most favorite is one that doesn’t involve him. It features a woman, who gets a Tarantinoesque announcement of her identity. The violence is all tastefully shot and inventively choreographed, but after a while, it began ringing a bit hollow. For lack of it, even though Vikram stands against the idea that this could be a revenge story, it’s hard to see it as anything but that. The line about drugs affecting society rings fairly cursory too. Some other ideas too don’t affect as they should—like a toilet flush resulting in a bomb blast, like the resuscitation of a baby…

It’s perhaps the influence of The Dark Knight on a generation of filmmakers and filmgoers that it’s impossible not to think of the film when you see echoes elsewhere. In Vikram, for instance, there is a dialogue about masks being needed to do good. Characters wear a bit too much makeup to disguise themselves. And there’s even a dutiful government officer who loses his spouse and steps into the dark side. But where the English film, despite being about all the action, was a thorough dissection of humanity, of the sacrifice it takes to do good, of the interdependency of good and evil, Vikram is largely content to capture the carnage. It looks good, but I’m not sure it feels as good as a Kaithi did.

And yet, Vikram’s merits lie in how Lokesh refuses to have succumbed to the temptation of making a film that sings paeans for the superstar. Who knows, the filmmaker might well go on to realise his vision of creating a series of films connected to each other and occurring in the same universe—films that may bring into the fold more stars like Suriya and provide a platform in which they can play characters they couldn’t otherwise.

The future seems full of possibilities and that’s my most heartening takeaway from Vikram. If, however, you went all binary on me, and posed a variation of the question that was asked so famously to Velu Naicker—and in this film, to Vikram: “Vikram nalla padama ketta padama?” I’d have to take a page from their book and respond with a rather vague answer. Much like the morality of both characters, I’ll have to say it lies somewhere in between, and much like those two men, the film does tilt towards the good.

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj Cast: Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil, Vijay Sethupathi, Gayathrie Rating: 3/5

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A special investigator discovers a case of serial killings is not what it seems to be, and leading down this path is only going to end in a war between everyone involved. A special investigator discovers a case of serial killings is not what it seems to be, and leading down this path is only going to end in a war between everyone involved. A special investigator discovers a case of serial killings is not what it seems to be, and leading down this path is only going to end in a war between everyone involved.

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• Trivia Most of the guns and tankers which used in vikram is owned by Kamal Hassan with proper licence.
• Goofs The characters from Kanagaraj's earlier film, Kaithi featuring Dilli, Bejoy , Adaikalan & Anbu were given different names in it's Hindi dubbed version (Dilli became Shiva; Bejoy became Arjun; Adaikalan became Ranga & Anbu became Billa.) However in Vikram's hindi dubbed version, the original names were retained.
• Alternate versions There is an uncensored version of the film that was released overseas.
• Connections Followed by Leo (2023)
• Soundtracks Pathala Pathala (Tamil) Music by Anirudh Ravichander Lyrics by Kamal Haasan Vocals by Kamal Haasan

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• Jun 3, 2022
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• June 3, 2022 (India)
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• ₹1,500,000,000 (estimated)
• Jun 5, 2022
• $29,837,637

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• Runtime 2 hours 55 minutes

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Vikram Movie Review: Fulfilling action saves this ambitious multi-starrer

Rating: ( 3 / 5).

Clearly, Lokesh Kanagaraj isn’t one to make a film and forget about it. It’s well-known by now—especially after Lokesh himself published a statement on the eve of Vikram ’s release—that the Kamal Haasan-film shares its universe with the filmmaker’s second, Kaithi . In that film, we saw Dilli (Karthi) join hands with Bejoy (Narain) to stop a battalion of gangsters from reclaiming their drug stash. In Vikram , set after the events of Kaithi , you see Bejoy making an extended appearance, even as some other faces from Kaithi step in and out as well. You learn that their boss is Sandhanam (Vijay Sethupathi, playing a drug-addled, quirky boss). I liked that Sethupathi experiments with his look and dialogue delivery in this film. As for the Lokesh filmography links, there’s quite a bit from Kaithi, including the protagonist being called the Ghost. I also found it hard not to think of Master given that you see Karnan (Kamal) getting hammered for much of the first half, even though Vikram doesn’t belong in the same universe. Lokesh also tips his hat off to the original Vikram (1986) by using some photos and information for a backstory. None of these is crucial connections necessarily; it’s just Lokesh having a bit of fun. It’s a bit like his tendency to use old songs as background score. In this film, you get ‘ Chakku Chakku Vathikuchi ’ ( Asuran ) and later, ‘ Kalviya Selvama Veerama ’ ( Saraswathi Sabatham ), but here, the filmmaker doesn’t do it with too much conviction, and so, you too are not as entertained by the use of old songs as you were, say, in previous films of his.

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj

Cast: Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil, Vijay Sethupathi, Gayathri

Vikram ’s first half is a fascinating exercise, marked by surprisingly swift appearances from Kamal Haasan, playing Karnan (and later, Vikram). Lokesh may have called a lot of attention to his admiration for Kamal Haasan (he called this film a ‘ fanboy sambavam ’), but well into an hour of the film, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no real urgency in utilising Kamal’s physical presence. I say ‘physical’ because his spiritual presence—or specifically, his character’s—is smattered all over the film until the interval reveal. It’s a bit like how the characters of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged go, “Who is John Galt?” for the longest time. Here, the big question in the first half—especially from Fahadh Faasil’s Amar—is, “Who is Karnan?” Lokesh betrays no restlessness in answering this question. He takes his time to introduce you to the world, to the motivations and fears of Sandhanam, to the ruthlessness and romance of Amar. It’s fair, I think, to say that his vision here isn’t as diluted as in Master . In fact, so much does Lokesh revel in these multi-starrers that for much of this film, it feels almost like Amar were the protagonist, even as he digs into the case of the police murders. Fahadh Faasil gets ample screen-time to express himself, and I enjoyed that even his relationship with Gayathrie, as hurried as it is, feels fresh.

Kamal, of course, comes in with flourish, charisma, and quirk. Most importantly, he seems to be having a lot of fun in this film. You can see this in small arches of his eyebrows, in energetic steps to ‘ Pathala Pathala ’, in even some self-admonishing dialogue… In particular, his return to action territory is enjoyable and it is much credit to his energy reserves that I bought every set-piece he’s a part of. When not involved in close combat, he’s shown to use much fancy weaponry, including a cannon. I enjoyed the attempts to create unique set-pieces in this film. One stunt sequence happens in silence, for instance. In another, there's the beautiful idea of a man forced to kill many men in order to be able to feed a baby. The actor's American-ised English still seems to come in the way of organic dialogue delivery, and his Chennai Thamizh, which seemed par for the course in the pre-Ranjith era, feels a tad exaggerated now—especially when you see Vikram switching to the dialect almost in a condescending fashion. I also didn’t care for what seemed to be a passing dig at a dwarf.

In this film with as many impressive action blocks involving Kamal Haasan, my most favourite is one that doesn’t involve him--and this again is credit to the star's willingness to let Lokesh do his thing. It features a woman, who gets a Tarantinoesque announcement of her identity. The violence is all tastefully shot and inventively choreographed, but after a while, it began ringing a bit hollow. There’s some justification offered for all the vigilantism when Vikram speaks of how the label ‘terrorism’ is conveniently applied and how one man’s revolution is another man’s terrorism, and while there may be some truth to these attractive one-liners, there isn’t too much exploration of such ideas in this film. For lack of it, even though Vikram stands against the idea that this could be a revenge story (and perhaps this is Lokesh speaking about it as well), it’s hard to see it as anything but that. The line about drugs affecting society rings fairly cursory too (whilst reminding you of a similar idea in Master). Some other ideas too don’t affect as they should—like a toilet flush resulting in a bomb blast, like the resuscitation of a baby…

It's perhaps the influence of The Dark Knight on a generation of filmmakers and filmgoers that it’s impossible not to think of the film when you see echoes elsewhere. In Vikram , for instance, vigilantes are out and about. They are climbing into buildings; they are hanging from ropes. Vikram says something about masks being needed to do good. Characters wear a bit too much makeup to disguise themselves. And there’s even a dutiful government officer who loses his spouse and steps into the dark side. But where the English film, despite being about all the action, was a thorough dissection of humanity, of the sacrifice it takes to do good, of the interdependency of good and evil, Vikram is largely content to capture the carnage. It looks good, but I’m not sure it feels as good as a Kaithi did.

And yet, Vikram ’s merits lie in how Lokesh refuses to have succumbed to the temptation of making a film that sings paeans for the superstar. Who knows, the filmmaker might well go on to realise his vision of creating a series of films connected to each other and occurring in the same universe—films that may bring into the fold more stars like Suriya and provide a platform in which they can play characters they couldn't otherwise. The future seems full of possibilities and that’s my most heartening takeaway from Vikram. If, however, you went all binary on me, and posed a variation of the question that was asked so famously to Velu Naicker—and in this film, to Vikram: “ Vikram nalla padama ketta padama?” I’d have to take a page from their book and respond with a rather vague answer. Much like the morality of both characters, I’ll have to say it lies somewhere in between, and much like those two men, the film does tilt towards the good.

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Vikram Movie Review: Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil shine in this uneven film

Director lokesh kanagaraj’s vikram, starring kamal haasan, vijay sethupathi and fahadh faasil, has several whistle-worthy moments. but, the plot becomes too generic after a point..

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• Vikram is an action entertainer directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.
• Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil play lead roles.
• Suriya appears in a cameo in the film.

After an explosive trailer, all eyes were on Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram, which brings together three powerful performers - Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil. Vikram is a part of the Kaithi universe and Lokesh Kanagaraj made it official just hours before the film’s release. So, those who are not familiar with Kaithi (Lokesh’s second film) might feel disconnected from Vikram.

In Vikram, Karnan (Kamal Haasan), Amar (Fahadh Faasil) and Sandhanam (Vijay Sethupathi) are at loggerheads. Multiple police officers die and a masked group of men claim responsibility. While Amar carries out the investigation, we are curious to know how they all came together. It is here that the ‘ghost’ gets exposed and transports us right into the story. Who or what is this 'ghost' and whether Amar and Sandhanam succeed in their mission, forms the story.

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram has his stamp all over it. In several interviews, the filmmaker spoke about his love for Kamal Haasan. Every frame in which Haasan appears will make you sit up and take notice. Though Kamal Haasan has less screen presence in the first half, he manages to keep us intrigued. After him, it is Fahadh’s show all the way. The investigation scenes in the first half pull us together when the film gets too generic. Vijay Sethupathi as Sandhanam seems like an extension of his character from Master.

Vikram is not a film without flaws. The action entertainer takes its own sweet time to establish the story, which tests our patience. But, once it does, there’s no stopping Vikram. The film has several whistle-worthy moments which will make you hoot for the actors. Watch out for the brilliant interval block and the lead up to it. Similarly, Suriya’s cameo as Rolex stole the show even though he appeared just for five minutes.

The action sequences are tastefully done and it is brilliant to see Kamal Haasan perform them with so much ease. In fact, it was such a delight to see Ulaganayagan back in action after four years. He scores in the action sequences as well as the emotional ones.

The supporting characters played by Kalidas Jayaram, Narain and Chemban Vinod Jose work extremely well. Vikram is also a technically sound film. Be it the cinematography by Girish Gangadharan or the crisp editing by Philomin Raj, the technical department worked in tandem. Another hero of Vikram is Anirudh Ravichander’s explosive background score. There’s variety and oomph, which helps in elevating important sequences.

Vikram, however, suffers from an uneven screenplay. If only the first half were etched in a taut manner, the film’s impact could have been a notch higher. The second half makes up for the negatives, though, but is it enough?

Overall, Vikram is a film that has some terrific performances and makes you inquisitive about the Lokesh Kanagaraj universe. Some of the scenes don’t land, but there are plenty to cherish and rejoice in.

3 out of 5 stars for Vikram. ALSO READ | Kamal Haasan's Vikram trailer lights up Burj Khalifa ahead of release. Watch Published By: Nairita Mukherjee Published On: Jun 3, 2022 --- ENDS ---

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Vikram movie review: Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil, Vijay Sethupathi serve up an entertaining action-thriller

One glimpse of Kamal Haasan in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram and you just know he is the G.O.A.T

Language: Tamil

In one of his pre-release interviews, director Lokesh Kanagaraj used a parable to describe the mood of Vikram – a story of a lion who was captured by circus people. In his absence, the other animals of the forest have taken over. His captors release the lion back into the wild, after using his prime years in the circus. The lion is now subdued, more hungry for applause than the hunt. The other animals try to use this opportunity to attack the lion. But the lion shows that he had stayed away by choice, not inability. He was, is, and will be the king of the jungle.

This story definitely sets the mood for Agent Vikram, but in a way can be used for Kamal Haasan as well. Vikram is the veteran actor’s first theatrical release in four long years. He has been absent in the feeding frenzy of box office collections. Several people had written him off. But all you need is one glimpse of the man to know why he is the king. (or should we say GOAT). In Vikram, Kamal Haasan is all swag. It’s not a role that demands a lot from the actor. But it is still a delight to see him in this all-guns-blazing (quite literally) action avatar.

Vikram is a multi-starrer in the truest sense of the word. Multiple narratives and ensemble casts have been a part of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s films. Kamal Haasan is no stranger to this space as well. The actor has a long line of ensemble films where he has been happy to make room for his fellow actors – whether it’s an intense drama like Virumandi or a comedy like Panchathanthiram. He does it again in Vikram. And this time it’s Fahadh Faasil sharing the glory. Both Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi share the narrative and dramatic load. VJS is in his comfort zone with eccentricity but the stilted delivery, however, doesn’t hit the right note all the time. The film uses all its actors well, giving them all memorable moments.

The writing exploits Vikram and Kaithi ’s shared universe. The film has enough callback moments to Kaithi – not by plot, but by treatment. We have a similar moment to the ‘Jumbalakka’ one in Kaithi. The ‘lifetime’ settlement dialogue makes an appearance as well. Then, there are the meta moments. Vikram (Kamal Haasan) hands over his grandson to Amar (Fahadh), almost like handing over the mantle to carry the legacy forward. (In an earlier interview, Kamal had said that Fahadh was one of his favourite actors from the current generations.) The film’s emotional core struggles to breathe under the weight of building a franchise. But the surprises keep the curiosity alive. And thankfully, for once, we have female characters who are of actual relevance and significance to the story.

Vikram is not without flaws. There are loopholes and logical discrepancies – some more glaring than the others. But cinema is all about how a film creates a suspension of disbelief and sustains it. It is pacy – there’s a lovely rhythm in the shots and cuts. The camera dances around its characters so fluidly. (Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and edited by Philomin Raj) This pace dips a bit in the second half, but Anirudh’s ridiculously electric score fills in to hold the fort.

Vikram is best experienced when seen with fresh eyes. But, unfortunately, it is a film that has been plagued with spoilers.

Vikram’s climax sets the stage for a sequel – which would be another casting coup for Lokesh if the film happens. It hints at one of Tamil cinema’s most exciting actor face-offs. Vikram’s charm lies in such novelties – both minor and major. Tamil cinema has not had great luck with franchises, but here is to hoping that we see Agent Vikram back in action soon.

Vikram is playing in cinemas

Rating: * * * 1/2

Ashameera Aiyappan is a film journalist who writes about Indian cinema with a focus on South Indian films.

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Lokesh Kanagaraj's Kamal Haasan-starrer 'Vikram' is explosively charming | Movie Review

What happens in a face-off between a bunch of bad guys and the not-so-bad guys? You got it right if you thought "guns, action, and more action" was the probable answer.

But that's just glossing through the periphery of 'Vikram', starring Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathy. 'Vikram' is driven strongly by emotion and bonds between individuals but elevated greatly by the use of guns and action that can only be pulled off so magnificently by an uncompromising filmmaker like Lokesh Kanagaraj.

The theme is cocaine and the underworld running its cartel. A dangerous gang is on the loose after a bunch of consignments carrying their substance is seized. So is a masked man whose identity remains a mystery till the interval.

Kamal Haasan thanks fans as 'Vikram' completes 100-day run in theatres

Multiple-record breaking film 'Vikram' to begin streaming on OTT on this date

The director had mentioned in several interviews that he is a fan of Kamal Haasan's works and this movie is a perfect tribute to the superstar, who is back on screen after a hiatus. Kamal has once again proved there is nothing he cannot do. He looks dapper than ever, handling guns (like a cowboy air rifle or a Hellboy M4) and does action with the ease of a man who has never shied away from experimenting on looks, stories and style throughout his career.

It's very evident that Lokesh's confidence in attempting some path-breaking techniques in the movie, has been derived from the presence of the actor, who has been credited for introducing global-style elements in his movies.

Fahadh Faasil is a delight to watch as he essays the role of a black squad agent, who is on an important mission. He owns the first half of the movie, making a huge impact throughout the movie as he shifts between playing the tough, reckless guy and a lover, who does not reveal his profession to the person that means the world to him.

It wouldn't be wrong to say he is the driving force of the film.

You don't see Vijay Sethupathi doing many villain roles these days, but when he does, he means business. Of course, his character is poles apart from the lover he played in the recently released movie 'Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal' and Vijay looks very comfortable in his role. Malayalee actor Chemban Vinod does not disappoint either in his role as a tainted cop.

Many movies are made as sequels, but Lokesh has never claimed that 'Vikram' would be a sequel to 'Kaithi' starring Karthik and Narain, which released in 2019. But, what else can one expect it to be when several references made in the movie, remind you of the scenes from the previous blockbuster. Narain's arrival on screen and the mention of a ghost, uttered by Fahadh Faasil in 'Vikram', confirms there is a lot of connection between the two movies. Whatever universe Lokesh has made us enter, it's overwhelming, but enticing, to say the least and you can expect either a sequel to Kaithi or Vikram in Lokesh's next.

The music by Anirudh, who is an established name in Tamil cinema, and cinematography by Girish Gangadharan are simply brilliant, blending so well with the movie and taking it to an altogether different realm. The stunts are also exceptional. For those who fancy watching guns do all the talking in action movies, 'Vikram' will blow your mind. It's not everyday that you see a canon or other olden-age ammunition part of a modern-day action movie.

Kamal's movies are incomplete, if there is no mention of politics or an ideology and in 'Vikram', ideology takes centre stage.

Overall, the makers have to be applauded for introducing a global-style of storytelling. The story ends, not with a bang, but with a promise that there is more to come.

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Vikram Movie Review: Kamal Haasan-Lokesh Kanagaraj Strike Gold With This Incredible Action Film!

Vikram , the highly anticipated film that marks the comeback of Kamal Haasan to the film industry, has finally hit the theatres. The movie, which is written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is touted to be a complete action thriller. Along with Kamal Haasan, Vikram features an extensive star cast including Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, and others.

Did Kamal Haasan and Lokesh Kanagaraj's film live up to the hype? Read the Vikram movie review here to know...

*NO SPOILERS*

What's Yay:

The three pillars - Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil & Vijay Sethupathi

Writing, making, and the brilliant blend of two worlds

Perfect supporting cast

Music & technical aspects (especially action choreography)

Predictability of certain characters

Amar (Fahadh Faasil) and his team of agents are hired by the State police to track the killers of police officer Prapanjan (Kalidas Jayaram), his adoptive father Karnan (Kamal Haasan), and others. The investigation leads Amar and his team to the ruthless gangster Sandhanam (Vijay Sethupathi). Slowly, Amar discovers the actual identity of Karnan, whose real name is Vikram.

Script & Direction

Lokesh Kanagaraj, who is just 4-films old, tells you how to make a star-studded film with Vikram.

The movie marked Lokesh's first collaboration with his idol Kamal Haasan. But the brilliance of Vikram is that it is never restricted to a fanboy film. Instead, what we get is a well-written, well-made, incredible action film which is the crazy blend of two cinematic worlds.

Vikram is not entirely a Kamal Haasan show - it is indeed a film that celebrates the legend as both an actor and star. But at the same time, the two other main pillars - Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi - too get author-backed roles that have well-defined character arcs.

Yes, there are some incredible movie references and mass moments that celebrate the Ulaganayagan. However, they are not just thrown into the narrative for the sake of it, but are placed intelligently. If the little predictability factor and confusion induced by the long list of characters are ignored, Vikram is an extremely well-made, solid action film. This Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial deserves to be watched on the big screen.

Performances

Kamal Haasan is purely brilliant as the titular character Vikram . The veteran actor is in his best form and reminds us why he is considered one of the finest actors of all time. But, Kamal Haasan graciously takes a back seat in the film whenever it is needed - especially in the first half.

Fahadh Faasil has to be one of those very rare actors who managed to sideline the rest of the cast - including the legend Kamal Haasan - in a film. He shows his amazing range as an actor in Vikram and shines like no other in the action scenes.

Vijay Sethupathi once again proves his versatility as Sandhanam, the ruthless antagonist who is also a complete family man. His combination scenes with Kamal Haasan are a delight to watch.

Suriya is an absolute revelation in his cameo appearance. The rest of the star cast including Chemban Vinod Jose, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Gayathrie Shankar, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, and others have played their parts to near perfection.

Anirudh Ravichander's extraordinary music has bought the crazy universe of Vikram to life. The musician has set the theatres on fire with his thumping background score that is going to stay with the viewers even after leaving the theatres. The songs too, are decent.

Technical Aspects

Anbarivu deserves a huge round of applause for the fantastically choreographed action sequences, that are an absolute treat to watch.

Girish Gangadharan has done a marvellous job by creating the crazy world of this Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial with his stunning visualisation. Philomin Raj's smooth editing makes Vikram an edge-of-the-seat watch, despite its long runtime. The art department has also done a splendid job.

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj has crafted a brilliant comeback vehicle for legend Kamal Haasan, with this incredible action film. The exceptional making, performances, and technical aspects make Vikram a must-watch theatrical experience!

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Vikram Reviews

Yeah, yeah, he gets a swashbuckling entry in the now-terrific interval block. But the disappointment was there. Since then, Vikram has been watched five times now. That should explain how we were sucked into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe.

Full Review | Nov 2, 2023

Is Vikram worth a watch? Yes, definitely. Even if it’s half enjoyable and half trashy, ultimately, that’s Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil on the big screen. You have to see it to believe it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 20, 2023

This Indian action thriller, directed and co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is gory, dark, and extremely violent. Vikram, with its almost three-hour duration, painfully drags a non-mysterious mystery that blares out random spurts of relentless violence.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jul 19, 2023

As far as over-the-top action movies go, one would have to search very hard to find a movie better than “Vikram”, in one of the best movies of the year.

Full Review | Original Score: 7 | Jan 22, 2023

The camera crafts a lurid atmosphere as it follows each man down dark corridors and murky moral paths in one of the most ludicrously enjoyable movies of 2022.

Full Review | Dec 20, 2022

If Hollywood can justify making sequels to “Rambo” and “Top Gun” more than three decades on, why can’t Kollywood do the same?

Full Review | Oct 10, 2022

Despite its more attractive pieces, “Vikram” never quite comes together as a whole.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Sep 7, 2022

At nearly three hours long, Vikram overstays its welcome, as it becomes more of a convoluted mess of plot holes and increasingly far-fetched action scenes. The movie’s biggest 'mystery reveal' has no real surprises.

Full Review | Jul 4, 2022

Vikram needs the crutch of a hundred films from before, and at least a couple from the future, to distract you from the hollowness of the moment that’s actually playing on screen.

Full Review | Jun 10, 2022

Lokesh Kanagaraj's screenplay is overloaded with dozens of characters in multiple situations and the rapid editing pace by Philomin Raj does not allow us to even find out whose point of view this film is.

Kamal Haasan’s film marks the beginning of Tamil cinema’s biggest franchise. Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi make their presence felt with strong performances.

Kamal Haasan’s comeback is an adrenaline rush...

Once the easy-to-guess mystery around Karnan is cleared, the narrative becomes rather straight-faced...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 10, 2022

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan has returned to big-screen entertainment after a gap of four years. While he was active publicly as a TV host and the leader of a political party, he couldn't have asked for a better comeback than Vikram.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 10, 2022

Kamal Haasan is fabulous. Vijay Sethupathi fleshes out an edgy criminal whose frazzled heart and addled mind push him in startling directions.

A whole lot of really big guns turn Vikram into a crowd-pleaser for Tamil film fans and not a bad entry point for international action lovers.

Full Review | Jun 9, 2022

VIKRAM has its moments and the star appeal can be clearly felt. But what I miss here is a compelling story, narrative and directorial polish and fresh idea to be anything more than just a mediocre one-time-watch action flick.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Jun 4, 2022

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Lokesh Kanagaraj brings together the espionage-filled world of Kamal Haasan's 1986 film Vikram and his own Kaithi's action-filled world of drug lordala and cops in Vikram.

Vikram Movie Review: An ambitious, but somewhat underwhelming action film

• Times of India

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Almaruf Rahaman 1 114 days ago

User 468 days ago.

A must watch movie. Gonna be a most sensible cinema for decades

Sakthivel Sridharan 624 471 days ago

I have been asking about my opinion a lot of times, why don't you just reply please

Somnath Chakravarty 11 483 days ago

Well, much contrary to this review I and multitude of others think Vikram to be one of the most electrifying action movies of this year and the performances of all the three leads were quite powerful. Also, the cameo of Suriya as Rolex was easily the best cameo of the year in any movies of 2022.

Sakthivel Sridharan 624 496 days ago

this movie is not just worth 3 stars, if you please watch the movie again, you will feel the same. So watch the film again and you will definitely like it. So please watch the film and please rate it higher than before.

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• This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor. Share
• This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor.
• This is the second time Arjun Kapoor is playing a double role, the first being Aurangzeb (2013).
• The song ‘Yamma yamma’ from ‘Shaan’ is sampled in the song ‘Partywali Night' for the film.

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TYRE PARTNER

Vikram Movie Review: Fahadh Faasil Outshines Kamal Haasan in This Loose Narrative

Curated By : Gautaman Bhaskaran

Last Updated: June 06, 2022, 09:52 IST

• 3 June 2022 | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada
• 2 hrs 53 mins | Action, Thriller
• Starring: Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil
• Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
• Music: Anirudh Ravichander, Ilaiyaraaja

Vikram is drama, drama, drama all the way in which the director has not only bitten more than he can chew but exhibits his diehard admiration for Kamal Haasan.

We miss the old Kamal Haasan, who gave us marvellous movies like Apoorva Raagangal, 16 Vayathinile and Nayakan among so many others. There he immersed himself in different characters, and he hardly let us think about the actor. We thought about and followed the characters. But for many years now, he has thrown away this, instead choosing to play himself, Kamal!

Raj Kapoor was a showman all right, but he still strove to identify with the character he was essaying; Haasan fails here. He – film after film in recent years – cannot let go of his image as a star. He never lets us forget that he is Kamal, and plays to the galleries of his fan clubs. But I have this sneaking suspicion that even his hardcore admirers are beginning to tire. Remember, we are now in the age of the internet, and OTT platforms have thrown up some excellent stuff.

Kamal’s latest adventure, Vikram, comes after a four-year hiatus. His last outing was Viswaroopam 2, and that was in 2018, an eminently forgettable effort. Writer-director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram may be shades better than Viswaroopam 2, but that is not saying much.

Vikram is drama, drama, drama all the way in which the director has not only bitten more than he can chew but exhibits his diehard admiration for Kamal. Fortunately, we have excellent actors like Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi, who, though, is getting typecast and still needs to work on his dialogue delivery. I saw shades of his Vikram Vedha character in Kanagaraj’s thriller, whose high octane action and loud decibel levels are enough to get one tired after a point. And the film at 177 minutes is excruciatingly long, and it kills us with boredom in the second half.

The start has a promise, but Vikram is allowed to be wasted later. The movie plays out at many levels – there is the case of a consignment of missing drugs (Suriya has a cameo as the crime boss), and there is the intriguing event of masked men going about killing cops (which reminded me of the 1960s and 1970s Calcutta when young Naxalites did the same, butchering policemen who were considered class enemies) with Karnan’s (Haasan) father falling victim, and there is the revenge saga.

Trying to crack the crime is Amar – Faasil in a brilliant piece of portrayal as the head of a police team chasing Sethupathi’s Santhanam (a fearsome drug lord). And towards the end, we are offered a twist that is both fascinating and foxing!

Sadly, the narrative loses much of its zing after a point, and the element of thrill and mystery gets lost in inane dramatics. And Kamal remains Kamal (in the course of the runtime, he gets another name and identity) failing to get his once-upon-a-time compelling magic back on the track. He is all swag, and admittedly, his part requires very little acting skills. He is just expected to go guns blazing. But what a waste of a great talent. Loopholes and logical discrepancies are aplenty, but the shots and cuts are lovely, even rhythmic. Girish Gangadharan’s camerawork is top class. Wish the writing had been good and realistic. Suspension of disbelief is past, history. It does not work anymore.

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Vikram Movie Review : An ambitious, but somewhat underwhelming action film

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Vikram: Hitlist - Official Trailer (Hindi)

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Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Almaruf Rahaman 1 114 days ago

User 468 days ago.

A must watch movie. Gonna be a most sensible cinema for decades

Sakthivel Sridharan 624 471 days ago

I have been asking about my opinion a lot of times, why don't you just reply please

Somnath Chakravarty 11 483 days ago

Well, much contrary to this review I and multitude of others think Vikram to be one of the most electrifying action movies of this year and the performances of all the three leads were quite powerful. Also, the cameo of Suriya as Rolex was easily the best cameo of the year in any movies of 2022.

Sakthivel Sridharan 624 496 days ago

this movie is not just worth 3 stars, if you please watch the movie again, you will feel the same. So watch the film again and you will definitely like it. So please watch the film and please rate it higher than before.

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Gory Indian action thriller about revenge on drug cartels.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Given the degree of blood and violence, there aren

Vikram is motivated by revenge. He and most of the

All characters are Indian and the film is set in I

People are choked, shot with rifles, beheaded, sla

References to sex work. A character fakes moaning.

"Dimwit," "wretched," "damn," "son of a gun," "psy

Songs and a scene from the 1995 movie Asuran shown

Centers around a drug cartel. Extreme drinking, sm

Parents need to know that Vikram is an extremely violent Indian action thriller with drugs and some strong language. When Agent Amar (Fahadh Faasil), a commander of a black-ops team, is tasked with putting a stop to a series of killings, his quest leads him to Vikram (Kamal Haasan), a man determined to seek…

Positive Messages

Given the degree of blood and violence, there aren't really any positive messages, despite attempts to condemn crime and drug cartels. Toxic masculinity is celebrated.

Positive Role Models

Vikram is motivated by revenge. He and most of the other male characters engage in incessant brutality and violence.

Diverse Representations

All characters are Indian and the film is set in India. Nearly all the male characters are portrayed as hypermacho alpha males displaying toxic masculinity traits. The female characters are either killed off or are reduced to damsels in distress.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

People are choked, shot with rifles, beheaded, slapped, kicked, stabbed, sliced with blades and knives, chased, and violently beaten with hammers. Significant blood, wounds, scars, and gore. Weapons include military-grade machinery, fire canons, and machine guns. Dangerous driving leads to cars colliding, accidents, explosions. Characters are held hostage, bound in chains, forcefully injected with substances, and grotesquely tortured in interrogation scenes. Grenades and blasts severely injure people and damage property. Broken limbs, chopped off heads, and beheaded corpses are gorily displayed. In one scene, sexual harassment is implied. A child has a heart condition; they pass out and have to be resuscitated. Someone's fingers and ears are twisted. Discussion about suicide. A character is tied up, drenched with gasoline, and set on fire.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

References to sex work. A character fakes moaning. It is implied that people have sex under a blanket; no nudity. A character has a polygamous relationship.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Dimwit," "wretched," "damn," "son of a gun," "psycho," "bloody," "dogs," "shut up," "rogue," "pr--k," "scumbag," "hell," and "f--k."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Songs and a scene from the 1995 movie Asuran shown. The film features the Alsa Mall Shopping Complex in Chennai. Labels of Apple, Zomato, and Marshall are visible.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Centers around a drug cartel. Extreme drinking, smoking, and drug use. A character drinks excessively, gets violent afterward, and passes out later. Drugs are heavily discussed, particularly cocaine. Elaborate scenes where drugs are shown being made. One character is repeatedly seen consuming pills, which make him aggressive.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Vikram is an extremely violent Indian action thriller with drugs and some strong language. When Agent Amar (Fahadh Faasil), a commander of a black-ops team, is tasked with putting a stop to a series of killings, his quest leads him to Vikram (Kamal Haasan), a man determined to seek revenge on a malicious drug cartel. The violence is severe and constant. It includes chokings, beheadings, stabbings, beatings with hammers, and people being set on fire. Significant injury, gore, and blood is on display. Torture, blasts, and military-grade weapons are an active component of the film. Sexual harassment is implied in one scene. The film has extreme drinking, smoking, and drug consumption. Cocaine is excessively talked about and shown being made. People consume pills and alcohol, following which they become violent. There are references to polygamy and sex work. In one scene, sex is implied, but it's not graphic and there's no nudity. Language includes some use of "f--k" and "pr--k," along with some less severe insults, such as "dimwit" and "scumbag." The film is in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi with English subtitles available. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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What's the Story?

In VIKRAM, Amar (Fahadh Faasil), a special agent, is tasked with the investigation into a spate of serial killings. Crossing paths with Vikram (Kamal Haasan), he soon realizes that things are not what they seem. Will the chaotic mishaps caused by a malicious drug cartel be put to an end with the endeavors of a revenge-fueled Vikram?

Is It Any Good?

This Indian action thriller, directed and co-written by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is gory, dark, and extremely violent. Vikram , with its almost three-hour duration, painfully drags a non-mysterious mystery that blares out random spurts of relentless violence. Belonging to the array of films where the undefeatable, bullet-proof hypermacho hero is obsessively revered, the movie does nothing to stand apart from its peers. Predictable, exhausting, and often hard to sit through, the movie disappoints in its inability to compel the viewer. There is no interesting tale to tell. Characters remain hollow, and there is barely any focus on any other individual apart from the film's titular hero.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence in Vikram . Did you find it shocking or did it add to the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

How were drinking, smoking, and drugs portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize them? Why does that matter?

Nearly all the male characters are defined by their aggression and machismo. Did you find it problematic? What do you understand "toxic masculinity" to mean? How can you find positive gender representations in movies and on TV?

Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 3, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : July 8, 2022
• Cast : Kamal Haasan , Fahadh Faasil , Vijay Sethupathi
• Director : Lokesh Kanagaraj
• Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian actors
• Studio : Prime Media
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Run time : 175 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : August 14, 2023

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Mahaan Review: Vikram's Star Turn Has Support From Real-Life Son Dhruv Vikram

Mahaan review: it makes its share of mistakes and lives to tell the tale because vikram injects just enough variety into it with a performance that tempers some of the film's excesses..

Mahaan : A still from the film. (courtesy: Imdb )

Cast: Vikram, Dhruv Vikram, Simran, Bobby Simha, and Vani Bhojan with Sananth, Vettai Muthukumar, Deepak Paramesh and Aadukalam Naren

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Rating: Two and a half stars (Out of 5)

Karthik Subbaraj's overlong Tamil crime drama Mahaan , streaming on Amazon Prime Video, alternates between the massy and the trashy but it does so with unapologetic flair. That is not to suggest that the film's erratic trajectory deflects lead actor Vikram from his path in any way. He holds firm and carries the film on his shoulders.

Vikram's oft-proven histrionic range is on full display as he transforms himself first from being an orthodox, middle-aged family man to an ageing rebel with a questionable cause and then from a king of the liquor mafia to a father torn between his paternal instincts and his loyalty to a boyhood friend.

But does the impressive star turn have the power to salvage a patchy film that struggles to find an emotional core for its story about the limits of freedom, the perils of militant conservatism and an all-out clash between a father and a son? The two men stand on opposite sides of a moral divide and face off in a fight that endangers many lives.

Unfortunately, neither the ethical questions that arise nor the emotional complications that are triggered by the father-son confrontation assume proportions that can elevate Mahaan to the heights that could do justice to the title. The film's gloss is strictly surface level.

The general quality of the acting is of a high order. Vikram has support from his real-life son, Dhruv Vikram, cast as his estranged screen son. The cast of the film includes Simran, Bobby Simha, Sananth and Muthukumar in the role of the principal antagonist.

Vikram plays a man from a Gandhian family who is stifled by the burden that his name, Gandhi Mahaan, puts on him. In one of the early scenes following a prelude set in 1968 - it shows three village boys playing a card game that ends in a violent scuffle - it is revealed that the boy's grandfather was a freedom fighter, his father an anti-liquor activist. Gandhi's best pal, Sathyavan is, in contrast, the only son of a toddy brewer.

Cut to 1996. On Gandhi Mahaan's 40th birthday, the staid commerce teacher decides that he has had enough of unquestioning adherence to the morals and principles enjoined upon him by his lineage. He throws caution to the wind. He gambles and drinks himself silly in a bar owned by Sathyavan, with whom he reconnects in the city quite by chance.

That one bacchanalian night changes the course of Gandhi Mahaan 's life forever. In a drunken state, he kicks up a huge kerfuffle when he returns home with Sathyavan (Bobby Simha) and the latter's son Rocky (Sananth). A couple of slaps and angry words are exchanged. Matters spiral out of control and Gandhi's wife Nachi (Simran) and son Dada leave him for good. Soon after, the landlord orders the man to vacate the house.

Left to his own devices, the hero bounces back quickly by setting up a liquor empire in partnership with Sathyavan, finds a son in Rocky and makes rapid strides in the business with a mix of calculated risks and strongarm tactics. At one point, Gandhi Mahaan admits that while he has the gift of the gab, he isn't particularly adept at using his fists. But don't let that declaration fool you.

For a high-octane drama that centres on crime and vengeance, Mahaan is sparing in its use of action sequences but the ones that are mounted bear an unmistakable Karthik Subbaraj stamp. Especially noteworthy is a long sequence in which Gandhi Mahaan is caught between his estranged son Dada (Dhruv Vikram), now a viciously uncompromising special task force policeman who has been detailed with the task of wiping out Gandhi Mahaan's gang, and Rocky, the young man who is like a son.

Dada's return into Gandhi Mahaan's life - it is Dhruv Vikram's entry scene - is also staged with some panache. The young actor, up against the seasoned Vikram, holds his own. It is, of course, no cakewalk. There are times that Dhruv Vikram's effort to ensure that he isn't eclipsed begins to show.

His grand moniker notwithstanding, the protagonist, in collusion with the third friend from the opening sequence, Gnanam (Muthukumar), a corrupt politician who wins elections on an anti-alcohol plank but is in cahoots with the liquor lobby, rises to the top of the heap when Dada and his men arrive out of the blue and decide to rain on his party.

More trouble brews when the crooked politician has his own ideas and runs afoul of Gandhi Mahaan and Sathyavan. When the liquor king meets Gnanam in the company of Sathyavan and Rocky in his grand ministerial office plastered with portraits of Gandhi, Nehru, Indira Gandhi and APJ Abdul Kalam, sparks fly and set the stage for the final leg of the film.

Neither the making of the film, which alternates between the overly flashy and the drably sedate, nor the background score and songs composed by Santhosh Narayanan, which incorporate dollops of hip hop, is exceptional. Mahaan is overlong, sluggish in parts and way too superficial for its convoluted message to attain clarity.

If the film still manages not to be a complete washout, it is because of the energetic performances, the occasional visual flourishes that Karthik Subbaraj packs into the film and the solid camerawork by Shreyaas Krishna, who imparts a distinct feel and texture to the frames.

That apart, there are at least a couple of takeaways from Mahaan . In one scene, the minister preens that he isn't given to issuing multiple threats like "a movie villain". I am a certified politician, he says, "a real villain". The favourite whipping boy of contemporary Indian cinema thus makes his presence felt in Mahaan .

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In another flash of striking insight, the hero asserts that those who seek to forcibly impose their ideals on others are no better than those that flout all laws of acceptable behaviour. Both are extremists, he says, harking back to the line (attributed to Mahatma Gandhi) that Mahaan opens with: "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."

Mahaan grabs that freedom with both hands - like the eponymous character, it makes its share of mistakes and lives to tell the tale because Vikram injects just enough variety into it with a performance that serves to temper some of the film's excesses.

: Vikram, Dhruv Vikram, Simran, Bobby Simha, and Vani Bhojan with Sananth, Vettai Muthukumar, Deepak Paramesh and Aadukalam Naren

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Release Date : February 10,2022

123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5

Starring: Vikram, Dhruv Vikram, Simha, Simran,Vani Bhojan, Sananth, Muthukumar, Aadukalam Naren

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Producer: SS Lalit Kumar

Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan

Cinematography : M Sherif

Editor: Vivek Harshan

Mahaan is a gangster drama that marks the first collaboration of Vikram and his son, Dhruv Vikram. Written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the movie is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Let’s see how the movie is.

Gandhi Mahaan (Vikram) is a commerce teacher, who follows Gandhian values until he meets his childhood friend Sathyavan (Bobby Simha), who brews liquor. In no time, Mahaan joins the liquor business and starts ruling the liquor mafia. But things change when his son, Dadabhai Naoroji (Dhruv Vikram), a Gandhian follower, comes back as a policeman to wipe out his father’s liquor business. Did Dadabhai complete his mission? How did Mahaan face his son? To know the answers we need to watch the movie.

Plus Points:

As always, Vikram delivers his best performance as a common man and also as a mafia leader. His performance in emotional scenes is quite mesmerizing. Meanwhile, Dhruv Vikram wows everyone with his unique and stellar performance as a ruthless policeman. The scenes and dialogues between the father and son are good.

Bobby Simha lives in his character. Sananth and Muthukumar give their best to make the movie a good one. The story runs well in the second half and hooks you in a few scenes. Santhosh Narayanan needs to be appreciated for his outstanding music that helps in elevating the scenes. The visuals are especially good.

Minus Points:

The major problem with this gangster drama is its slow-paced narration. In addition, Mahaan also has a lengthy runtime. The film takes a lot of time to enter the main story.

Until the entry of Dhruv Vikram, the movie runs on a slow note and makes you feel a bit bored. Many scenes in the first half test your patience with the boring screenplay.

Technical Aspects:

Director Karthik Subbaraj has good experience in dealing with gangster movies. He narrates it in his own space but he fails to make it an engaging gangster movie. Shreyaa’s cinematography is good and the background score by Santhosh Narayanan is outstanding. Production values are also good.

On the whole, Mahaan is a slow-paced gangster drama that works only in parts. If you bear the slow pace and lengthy runtime, you can give the movie a shot for the finest performances of Vikram and Dhruv Vikram. 123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Version

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HIT 2 – Movie Review

Article by Nanda Gopal Published by GulteDesk --> Published on: 10:33 am, 2 December 2022 | Updated on 11:51 am, 3 December 2022

2 hrs   |   Thriller   |   02-12-2022

Cast - Adivi Sesh, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Rao Ramesh & Others

Director - Sailesh Kolanu

Producer - Prashanti Tipirneni, Nani

Banner - Wall Poster Cinema

Music - M. M. Srilekha, Suresh Bobbili

HIT: The First Case saw intense Vikram Rudraju played by Vishwak Sen. The second case in The HIT Verse is replaced by Krishna Dev aka KD essayed by Adivi Sesh. After a patriotic film Major, Sesh is back to his forte of mystery crime thrillers. He is joined by Sailesh Kolanu. Let’s find out whether it delivers an intriguing experience or not.

KD is challenged by the brutal murder of a girl Sanjana. KD learns that the murderer is a serial killer who killed anonymous girls. KD manhunts for the murderer and he is challenged by the circumstances. Who is the killer? What is the motive of murders? How KD nabs the killer and rescues his girlfriend Aarya (Meenakshi Chaudhary) is the HIT: The Second Case is all about.

Performances :

Adivi Sesh is quite familiar with the setup and genre. So, he naturally gets comfortable in the role of KD. There isn’t much challenge for him either. He acts with ease. Meenakshi Chaudhary is alright as Sesh’s girlfriend. But her role has nothing much to do with the proceedings until the climax. Komalee Prasad as Varsha gets noticed. She is part of the investigation team. Rao Ramesh plays a senior police officer who is KD’s boss. He gets a cliched role. But Rao Ramesh fits the cast and delivers what is required. Suhas gets a camouflaged role. He shines in his part. Maganti Srinath is alright as SP Abhilash, who aids the investigation. Posani is seen as a media reporter. He gets a blink and miss role. Tanikella Bharani plays the victim’s father. Director Sailesh appears as a pub owner. In fact, there are some references to Vikram Rudraraju (Vishwak Sen). Hero Nani, who also happens to be the film’s producer, makes a surprise entry at the end as Arjun Sarkar.

Technicalities

Sailesh picks a simple mystery crime thriller. He delivers what is expected from. Neither more, nor less. Writing is simple and neat. Direction is decent. Manikandan’s visuals are impressive. John Stewart’s background score is intense and works in the film’s favour. Urike Urike romantic number is good. It gives minor relief in this serious film. Editing is slick.

Adivi Sesh Investigation Portions Some Twists

Thumbs Down

Gory Scenes Rushed Climax

Mystery crime thrillers always have a set of audience. It has its own fan base. After making directorial debut with HIT: The First Case and remaking it in Hindi, Sailesh is back with The Second Case and he gets Sesh as the protagonist. Whodunit thrillers aren’t new. But the setup, tone and cast makes HIT: Second Case demand special attention. Director Sailesh gets it right mostly. Though it’s not an arresting crime thriller, it won’t disappoint either. The film starts with KD’s life and his girl friend Arya. And then the hook scene is the murder of Sanjana.

The initial buildup is so much. Right from Sanjana’s murder to the reveal of the body parts of three other missing girls, the film draws curiosity. It feels like it picked up the pace. There is some tension and hype. It all promises to be a nail-biting and gripping mystery thriller. But it only falters as it proceeds. The nabbing of Raghavudu, suspected murderer, very early of the story indicates he is innocent. It is a predictable point. The real story begins after the Interval block.

The second half is all about whodunit and what was the killer’s motive. But when the killer is revealed and the motive is known, it looks a bit silly. It isn’t convincing enough why the killer chose only specific victims and on what basis he chose them. Even the killer’s past is not so justifying. The back story looks like filler to complete the story. The characteristics and traits of killer and his artistic talent are interesting and add some value overall though.

The investigation portions are what score in HIT: The Second Case. Though Sesh goes overboard at times and appears to be very dominative like in a traditional protagonist in Telugu movies. But it is fine since it delivers to its genre fans. Overall, HIT: Second Case is watchable thriller. The lead to HIT: The Third Case with Nani as the lead actor stands out. It brings so much curiosity on the next installment in the HIT verse.

Bottom-line: Enthralling Thriller

Rating: 3/5

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