Vikram
Introduction
Onto the final release of the weekend and I had decided to leave the best for last. And with that I finished watching the Tamil film Vikram and boy what a stellar cast! If you have Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil in a film together, I will go and watch the film everyday of the week. There was no way I was going to miss out on watching the three of them together on the big screen even if the film was to get negative reviews. Luckily the film was appreciated critically too and I was really excited for this one! I had done a trailer review of Vikram on my youtube channel Popcorn Reviewss too and there I had mentioned that nothing really was revealed in it while still raising a sense of curiosity amongst everyone. And honestly that is what is expected from its trailer. Now that I have finished watching Vikram, here are my two cents on it.
Story & Screenplay
Vikram follows the story of an investigation taking place behind a string of grizzly killings. What is the mystery behind it? Revealing anything else will act as a spoiler in this case. The story is in the commercial space and that is how you nail a commercial entertainer! People have a notion that I am not into masala entertainers which is not right at all. I do enjoy my share of mass masala entertainers provided they are done right. And if Lokesh Kanagaraj is the man behind it then seldom will things go wrong. The screenplay standing at almost 3 hours may seem daunting but it passes off like a breeze. If you are familiar with the storytelling technique of Kanagaraj, you will know that you won’t get easy answers instantly. There are layers and layers of drama which need to be crossed before you do find answers. So the screenplay will seem disjointed and it has been done intentionally so that the audience is allowed to play a guessing game too. And this is a skill which can so easily go wrong as it may lead to the audience being disinterested. But here is where the genius of Kanagaraj lies!
The proceedings are engaging and they keep you hooked and booked throughout. You are tactfully given clues in the narrative as the plot keep getting convoluted. The level of alertness needs to be maintained throughout as any distraction might lead to you missing out on a crucial information which is usually exchanged through dialogues. And this is applicable from scene number one. Also, you need to be patient with the film. You will get answers but it will take a while to reach your destination. But in between you will be served an edge of the seat thriller which unfolds in a non linear manner rather disjointed.
Once the cat is out of the bag, the drama gets even more interesting. The tone of the drama is maintained so well which ends in an overwhelming final act which is stuff wet dreams are made of! And to top it, the element of a sequel introduced made me even more excited for things to come! Overall, a banger of a scrrenplay which is worth every penny that I spent!
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are cerebral and they really are engaging and resourceful(in terms of imparting information). Music by Anirudh is absolutely smashing with a concoction of contemporary tones with an element of rock. The BGM is probably the best since Bheeshma Parvam which boosts your adrenaline levels to a peak. Whether it is a slow mo walk or an action set piece or a moment of discovery for a character, the BGM is absolutely a banger here. The cinematography coupled with the lighting are truly the unsung heroes of the film! Director Lokesh Kanagaraj really knows how to build a world with a complex and convoluted screenplay with utmost skill. And he is in top form here. The manner in which he tactfully throws in clues to hold your attention, it is just outstanding. Truly one of the finest directors doing the rounds at the moment!
Performances
This is a star cast to die for in the truest sense of the word. The presence of Suriya at the end just makes me super excited for the second part. Kalidas Jayaram as Prapanjan has his moments to shine. Vasanthi as Agent Tina is kickass in an extended combat sequence. Gayathrie as Gayatri has a good presence and she does a great job. Shivani Narayanan has a hilarious presence onscreen with Vijay Sethupathi, as does Nandhini Myna. Chemban Vinod Jose as Jose is top notch. But the show belongs to the trio of Vijay Sethupathi, Kamal Haasan and Fahadh Faasil. Vijay Sethupathi as Chandhan is absolutely bada*s. He oozes of style and is intimidating in every form. And he uses his eyes so well to express. Fahadh Faasil as Amar is wonderfully restrained and he as well uses his eyes to wonderfully express his different moods. And Kamal Haasan as Karan is absolutely smashing. He carries his character with dignity and has such a towering presence that it is hard not to look at him when he is onscreen. And he pulls off the action combat sequences with aplomb!
Conclusion
Vikram serves a timely reminder yet again on how to nail a mass masala entertainer! And I am super excited for its second part! Available in a theatre near you and Highly Recommended!