Maari (Dhanush) is a mischievous goon (of course, with a golden heart and cigarette smoke in slo mo) in total control of his area in North Chennai; he has a godfather in 'coal' Velu (Shanmugarajan, popularly known as Peikkaaman); there are other baddies waiting for the right moment to dislodge Maari and take his throne; Maari has two close buddies (one Sanikizhamai for comedy, the other one Adithaangi to take slaps from Maari: remember Goundamani-Senthil?); then there is a ruthless, deceitful cop (yes, he is newly posted to Maari's area), and a sweet lady (of course, we need her for dance, etc.). Those are the ingredients of director Balaji Mohan's third project. By now you would have made your own story with that recipe. Don't worry, I am sure you will be 99% right with your story development. Add pigeon racing, Maari's unadulterated love for those peace-loving birds and red sanders smuggling. Bingo! You got it 100%. Yes, believe me!
The film opens with a cop (very neat performance by Kaali Venkat) explaining the rise of Maari from zero to dadahood to the newly posted SI. The initial scenes are presented impressively, and you gear up for another quality entertainer from a successful, young filmmaker. You keep looking for something new, something fresh, to happen, if not with the story at least with the screenplay. That is quite natural as a performer par excellence like Dhanush has joined hands with the KSY-fame Balaji Mohan. But the twist in the script is that - nothing really entertaining or engrossing happens. Apparently, Maari's career as a goonda had kickstarted with his murder of a prominent rowdy. But people also consider it as a rumour. But whatever the case may be, the audience is left to wonder how did Maari actually rise to power. (other than due to Velu's grace.) Throughout the movie Maari keeps uttering (punch dialogue) 'Senjuruvaen' (loosely, 'I will wipe you out.') with a nice style. But till the end you keep wondering what was he referring to. When superstar says 'Naan oru thadava sonna...' it is backed by his powerful voice, and some action in the script to reinforce the point. But to take out the strong voice as well as not to have any supporting action for the punchline leaves us in the middle of nowhere.
Vijay Yesudas, though he has been given only a limited set of emotions (anger, more anger, disappointment, and helplessness) to perform, sparkles as a menacing cop. But some of his dialogues sound outdated and worse - he is a talkative cop. (After Soodhu Kavvum's Bramma, the audience really do not want a tough cop to open his mouth!) Especially the scene where in front of the police station he shows his true colours to the public - it is a new low in the new wave (the era of short filmmakers-turned-successful directors) of Tamil cinema. His dialogues sound like taken out of Konar urai that used to give one-page explanation for a Thirukkural of mere seven words. One more scene that gives a tough fight to the police station scene is the place when Robo Shankar sums up Maari's legend to the lady. And the ploy of using Kajal Agarwal.. come on! How long should the audience endure such tactics? And how did a family like the heroine's land up in that place? And who are those customers visiting a boutique amidst the slums? More attention to characterisation would have made lives easier for us.
Dhanush has tried to do whatever he can, but the script does not offer much scope in terms of comedy or action or emotions for the immensely talented star. He has attempted to give a mass entertainer with lots of style and music, but somewhere down the line the movie has failed to create a character and identity for itself. The posters say 'A rockstar musical', but the movie goes in a different tangent and there too it fails in its attempt to balance stylish rowdyism with humour. (precisely where Jigarthanda scored).
If there is one guy who has taken the movie on his shoulders it is Robo Shankar. With his amazing sense of humour laced with butler English and funny expressions and noises, Robo as Sanikizhamai has provided a rock solid support to Dhanush and the movie. The comedy that runs as a constant undercurrent is enjoyable. Anirudh-Dhanush combination has clicked yet again, but at some places the BGM just falls short (luckily) of rupturing the eardrum. The established cinematographer Om Prakash has done a decent job within the scope offered. The climax fight CG work looks childish, as you can easily make out it is only the computer flames that engulf the piles and piles of logs. The major plus of the movie is the length. It is well under 2 hr 30 mins. More scenes would have made us more restless.
A passable movie that lacks soul.
