Vaa Vaathiyaar Movie Review: A Disappointing Return for Director Nalan Kumarasamy
Karthi's latest vigilante action film Vaa Vaathiyaar arrives with high expectations but delivers a thoroughly unimpressive experience. The movie attempts to blend fantasy, politics, and mass entertainment elements but ends up feeling hollow and uninspired throughout its runtime.
A Promising Premise That Goes Nowhere
The story centers on Rameshwaran, played by Karthi, who is born on the exact day that legendary actor-politician M.G. Ramachandran passed away in 1987. His grandfather, portrayed by Rajkiran, becomes convinced that the boy represents MGR's reincarnation. He raises the child with MGR's films and teachings, hoping he will become a champion for common people.
However, Rameshwaran soon realizes that following MGR's idealistic path won't bring him success or power. He instead embraces corruption, becoming a police officer who collaborates with political kingmaker Periasamy, played by Sathyaraj. Together they work to suppress public protests and eliminate activist groups threatening their interests.
The narrative suggests that MGR's spirit might intervene to cleanse both Rameshwaran and society of corruption. This premise could have made for an intriguing psychological drama exploring themes of legacy, morality, and identity.
Execution Fails on Multiple Fronts
Director Nalan Kumarasamy, known for innovative films like Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, seems completely lost in this project. The film lacks his signature tone and creative spark that previously defined his work. Instead, Vaa Vaathiyaar feels like a lazy tribute to mainstream masala cinema that never finds its footing.
Several critical problems plague the production:
- Underdeveloped Characters: No character receives proper depth or meaningful development. Rameshwaran's relationship with his grandfather lacks emotional weight, while villain Periasamy never becomes truly threatening.
- Confusing Elements: Krithi Shetty plays Wu, a content creator who communicates with spirits, but her role feels unnecessary and poorly integrated into the main plot.
- Technical Shortcomings: The editing by Vetre Krishnan fails to create any distinctive flavor, while Santhosh Narayanan's background score often feels misplaced and distracting.
- Missed Opportunities: The film could have explored fascinating psychological territory, perhaps showing Rameshwaran developing Dissociative Identity Disorder with competing personalities representing corruption and idealism.
Political Undertones and Propaganda Elements
The film's release timing raises eyebrows, coming months before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. While not a direct biopic, Vaa Vaathiyaar clearly positions MGR, founder of the AIADMK party, as the ultimate solution to political corruption.
The movie depicts a ruling party called SMK led by a character resembling current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of the DMK. This political messaging feels heavy-handed and detracts from whatever entertainment value the film might have offered.
Performances That Can't Save the Film
Karthi tries his best with the material given, but his performance cannot overcome the film's fundamental flaws. Krithi Shetty and Sathyaraj deliver uninspired portrayals of underwritten characters, while Rajkiran offers yet another stereotypical grandfather performance.
The significant age gap between 48-year-old Karthi and 22-year-old Krithi Shetty as romantic interests continues a troubling trend in Indian cinema that deserves critical examination.
Final Verdict: A Major Disappointment
Vaa Vaathiyaar ultimately feels like a wasted opportunity. The film lacks the so-bad-it's-good quality that made Indian 2 somewhat entertaining despite its flaws. Instead, this production simply disappoints on nearly every level.
If anything, Vaa Vaathiyaar makes the Indian franchise's Thatha character look more appealing by comparison. At least those films embraced their over-the-top nature with conviction. This movie fails to commit to any particular vision, resulting in a forgettable cinematic experience.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
The film squanders its interesting premise about MGR's legacy and vigilante justice. What could have been a fascinating exploration of political mythology and personal corruption instead becomes a tedious exercise in formulaic storytelling. Director Nalan Kumarasamy's return after a decade away from feature films proves deeply disappointing for fans who expected more from the filmmaker behind some of Tamil cinema's most innovative recent works.
