Vidaamuyarchi (2025), International ambitions but local disconnect

Just like the title suggests, overcoming hurdles, after multiple delays, Vidaamuyarchi (2025), starring Ajith Kumar, has finally hit the screens today. The film delivers exactly what the trailer promised, almost giving the feel of an international production. Set entirely in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state, the film’s unique backdrop is refreshing for Tamil cinema. However, the excessive use of Azerbaijani dialogues, despite the main characters being Tamilians, creates a disconnect. A setting closer to home, like Rajasthan, might have made a significant difference in relatability. Adding to the disappointment is Anirudh’s background score, which fails to elevate the emotional moments, often reduced to just loud noise. Overall, Mangoidiots gives it a Raw rating.

Arjun (Ajith Kumar) works for an American firm and is based in Baku. His wife Kayal (Trisha Krishnan) joins him for a road trip spanning nine hours to Tbilisi, Georgia. When their car breaks down on a deserted stretch, they are helped by truckers Rakshith (Arjun Sarja) and Deepika (Regina Cassandra). What follows is a thriller-style narrative, unraveling unexpected twists.

The flashback scenes, where Arjun and Kayal fall in love, are a delight to watch, especially with a youthful-looking Ajith and the gorgeous Trisha as the bride. The first half moves at an excruciatingly slow pace, while the second half accelerates to the point of being hard to follow. Action lovers will have to wait nearly 45 minutes before Ajith finally delivers, but when he does, it feels rushed, as though compensating for lost time. The much-anticipated fight sequence with Regina Cassandra is also hurried, missing the impact it deserved. Among the supporting cast, Arav and Ramya Subramanian deliver commendable performances. However, the villains’ backstories lack depth, eliminating any element of surprise or thrill.

The cinematography by Om Prakash is a visual treat, showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of Azerbaijan. Director Magizh Thirumeni and his crew deserve credit for bringing this unexplored setting to Tamil cinema. Yet, had the film been set in a more familiar location, complemented by a better background score and evenly paced narration, Vidaamuyarchi could have truly “thirumped.”