Velaikkaran (2017) directed by Mohan Raja, follows the super-duper hit of Thani Oruvan (2015) – it had a lot riding on it. While the film starring Sivakarthikeyan and Nayanthara didn’t live up to that, it turned to be a good one and entertaining. The director has put in a lot of effort in avoiding cliches and coming with smart scenes – like in explaining the marketing science behind an everyday supermarket we all visit (of course, there are plenty of books on it, but surprise surprise, Kollywood Directors read them too).
The film starts interestingly with Arivu (Sivakarthikeyan), a young ambitious graduate living in a city slum, starting a community radio to spread social awareness. To start it, he needs the blessings of local don (Prakash Raj) which he gets by sweet talking to him; behind his back, Arivu makes moves against the don. While we thinking this is going to be yet another rowdy vs hero film with fighting between them till the credit roll, the film changes track. Arivu gets a job as a salesman in a major FMCG company “Saffron”, where the company’s brand manager (Fahadh Faasil) takes Arivu under his wings. From there it is is about how Arivu takes on and wins over the corporate owners who are producing substandard food products. God bless the director, there are no heroic fights by Arivu against the main villain or his sidekicks.
I enjoyed watching Fahadh Faasil, who has played his subdued role well. Sivakarthikeyan has given his best, but he will do well if he can learn to show variations in his body language and exhibit some emotions. Nayanthara didn’t have anything substantial in the film. Music by Anirudh Ravichandar was nice especially the song Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam, which had become a hit.
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