Maamannan

Maamanan A review by Rajesh Puvvada

Mari Selvraj once again paints caste based strokes on a culturally stigmatic canvas!! After pariyerumal and Karnan, he used the same starting ritual, which is to have a hound killed or slaughtered!! This time it got a little predictable.

Casting Vadivelu as the protagonist in a realistic appearance gives great strength to this movie. After a long hiatus, we could witness a larger screen presence of this seasoned actor. I enjoyed every bit of his performance largely. The maturity in which he handles his character tells us how strongly he lived into it.

At the very beginning of the movie when the titles were coming up there was a huge applause when the name of Fahad Fazil came up. He definitely raised the bar of his own best performance. Every move if his was unique and natural.

I am not going to mention any one from the caste because their roles or performances were not pivotal or palpable.

Years of stigma around the lower and higher castes dominate our rich social fabric and that is well brought out in this movie. Honestly, the true value of this movie was delivered right at the time of intermission. What ever came out from Mark Selvraj after the interval had lesser value plot wise. The plot got diluted into a political portion that stinks. However the end state was very well handled. Many directors these days suffer to handle the crispness of a fine plot for a longer duration. Presenting something solid for a longer duration requires great degree of detail and an emotional grip. The way Mari Selavaraj held our emotions firm around Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan is felt well because he did not hold it well in this movie. Especially in the second half.

Red giant wanted a platform to put its political agenda forward and the second half was a gift to red giant by Mari Selvraj.

A R Rehamans score jelled well with the movie but I think, no tune or a BGM or a song is playing repeatedly in my head after watching the movie. Which means the musical manifest of this movie evaporated very quickly.

Given the movie did not employ any illogical parts this movie holds water on a thin paper cup. Without the protagonist and the antagonist performances the movie would have lost its worth.

I recommend a one time viewing with family. And, I am going with a 7.5/10. You can also wait for it to come on OTT.

Maamannan is 2023 release Tamil movie with established actors, director and music composer.

The castings, music, storyline all very good. Watch the movie as it is without mixing it with political opinions. The way the animals portraying the social status also very apt. Some scenes are really mentally disturbing. It proves the director did his job competently. Each actors done their characters very well. Certain actors didn't have much screen presence nor dialogues but they contribute their part well even some solely with eye contact. As a whole, it's a very good movie from the whole team. Hope people enjoy the movie and understand the social message.

This political drama has a gripping first half, where the director effectively conveys his pain through certain scenes. While some scenes successfully deliver the intended message, many others fall short. The movie is a mix of raw and commercial elements, which I found somewhat unsettling. It didn't evoke strong emotions in me, such as making me cry or burst into laughter, or fueling a sense of vengeance against the villain. It is common to compare older movies with current ones, and in the case of "Karnan," there were moments that evoked rage, especially the police station scene. However, in this movie, I felt a lack of connection. It was meant to be a potential cult classic, but with a few issues, it might lose its place in that esteemed position. It's not the worst movie, but it falls short of achieving cult classic status from my perspective as a movie viewer. The director had already set a high benchmark, which this movie failed to meet.

On the other hand, the movie has received numerous positive aspects, ranging from the performances of Vadivelu, Fafa, and Keerthi, who all deliver their career-best performances. The landscape shots are beautifully showcased, capturing scenic locations like Yercaud, hilltops, and night shots. The camera work is impressive, and as expected, the music by ARR (A. R. Rahman) demonstrates his exceptional quality. The layered editing is also a significant plus point. With a more gripping and grounded second half, this movie could have reached greater heights. The interval and climax sequences have their own peak moments, showcasing the director's bold attempt. It's a remarkable film to conclude Udhay's career.

These days it's becoming easy to guess a Tamil movie's plot and you can easily guess the central theme of this movie. At times the movie gets slow-paced and I fast-forwarded many portions.

Fahad Fazil is cracking all the roles he is getting and he was the main highlight of this movie. He played the antagonist role nicely. Moreover, it's time to recognize the talent of Vadivelu. He has been typecast for a long time and it's time to give him some serious roles, just like Mollywood did for Suraj Venjaramood. Mari Selvaraj proves that he can do movies like Maamannan and I hope we will get more cool movies from him in the future.

The film, directed by a visionary with an impressive track record and featuring a stellar cast, generated enormous anticipation, and it certainly did not disappoint. While the story may have had some predictable elements, it was the director's skill in crafting an exceptional screenplay that truly stood out. The emotional scenes were breathtaking, evoking a profound sense of connection with the characters.

Vadivelu's performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Fahad Fazil, Udayanithi, and Keerthi Suresh also delivered outstanding performances, adding depth and authenticity to their respective roles. The chemistry among the cast was palpable, enhancing the overall impact of the film.

A. R. Rahman's musical genius shone through once again, with his marvelous compositions and captivating background scores perfectly complementing the narrative. The soundtrack was a true auditory delight, enhancing the viewing experience to another level.

Contrary to preconceived notions, this film is not just another tale of caste-related issues. It presents a unique perspective on how society can be misled by powerful individuals. However, it is worth noting that certain scenes might be distressing for younger audiences, so parental guidance is advised.

Although the predictability of the story prevents me from giving it a perfect rating, the film's overall excellence far outweighs this minor flaw. "Title of the Film" is an absolute masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on its viewers. It is a must-watch for cinephiles and anyone seeking an unforgettable cinematic experience.