Cast: Karthi, Raj Kiran, Sathyaraj, Krithy Shetty, Anandaraj, GM Sundar, Karunakaran, Shilpa Manjunath, Ramesh Thilak, Nilazhgal Ravi, Yaar Kannan, Nivas Adithan, PL Thenappan, Vidya
Directed By: Nalan Kumarasamy
Music By: Santhosh Narayanan
Produced By: Studio Green – K.E.Gnanavelraja
Rajkiran, a die-hard MGR fan, raises his grandson Karthi, who is born on the day of MGR’s death and resembles him, to be just like MGR. However, although Karthi physically resembles MGR, he grows up with the character of Nambiar (a famous villain actor). Karthi becomes a police inspector, but instead of upholding justice, he does everything he shouldn’t, even joining hands with Sathyaraj, a powerful corporate and political broker, to eliminate those fighting for the people.
When Rajkiran learns that Karthi, despite resembling MGR, is not following his path but instead going in the opposite direction, he dies of heartbreak. Deeply affected by his grandfather’s death, Karthi undergoes a sudden transformation. What happens after that is told in a fantastical and entertaining way in ‘Va Vaathiyar’.
While superheroes who save people in danger are usually fictional characters, director Nalan Kumarasamy portrays the late actor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MGR, who still lives on in people’s hearts, as a superhero. Although he tells the story in a fantasy and comedic style, he captures attention by making a bitter incident that occurred in Tamil Nadu a key element of the screenplay.
Karthi handles the police officer character very casually and entertainingly. Although the role he takes on in the second half is challenging, he performs it exceptionally well and earns the audience’s appreciation. Especially for MGR fans, Karthi’s body language and acting will give them the feeling of seeing MGR again.
Although Kriti Shetty, who plays the female lead, has a character that progresses with the screenplay, she grabs attention more through her beauty and dance than through her acting.
Rajkiran, who plays an MGR fan, as usual, easily wins the hearts of the audience with his powerful performance.
Sathyaraj, who plays the villain, has once again showcased his versatility not only in his appearance but also in his acting, presenting a new Sathyaraj to the audience.
Shilpa Manjunath, Nizhalgal Ravi, Anandaraj, G.M. Sundar, Ramesh Thilak, Karunakaran, P.L. Thenappan, Yaar Kannan, and Bobby Simha in a special appearance, have all been appropriate choices for their respective roles.
Cinematographer George C. Williams has been a major strength of the film. He has not only captured the mass scenes for the hero but has also presented all the scenes in the film in a grand manner through his angles and colors. He has even made the fight sequences enjoyable by using various colors. The lighting and colors used in the night scenes are particularly striking.
Santosh Narayanan’s music makes the songs catchy, and the background score acts as a character in itself, covering up the weaknesses of the screenplay in many places and adding strength to it.
Vetri Krishnan’s editing moves the film forward without confusion, and in accordance with the director’s vision of telling a politically charged story in a fantasy style, he has edited the scenes in a way that keeps the film engaging and prevents the interest from waning.
Nalan Kumarasamy, who wrote and directed the film, has captivated the audience by handling not only the plot but also the character designs in a very unique way. Similarly, in this film, he handles Karthi’s character in a unique way, captivating not only Karthi’s fans but also MGR’s fans.
While the first half of the film moves along entertainingly with Karthi’s understated performance, in the second half, the director Nalan Kumarasamy commercially presents how the MGR element influences the politically charged screenplay, conveying profound political messages without being preachy.
Karthi’s performance, which breathes life into director Nalan Kumarasamy’s innovative vision, has been a major strength of the film. Although there are minor dips in pace in some places, the cinematography and music compensate for them, transforming it into a festive film that the audience will celebrate.
