Asuran (Review): A sensitive socio political action film. 4/5

The family of Sivasamy is running and hiding from a group. Asuran is a cinematic adaptation of the Tamil novel Vekkai, written by Poomani. Vetrimaaran took the basic plot from the novel and changed it so much that the readers of Vekkai will have dozens of questions about the focus, and characters. Any how, Asuran writing is so strong, with strong characters and good character development, that it easily involves the viewer in its story and action from beginning to end. Like his previous movies, here also, Vetrimaaran talks about land, and caste division. It is also the story of a father trying to protect his family from his past. The portrayal of the relationship between father and son really elevates this film. Asuran is also a mass film with heroic action scenes and heavy mass theme music.

Back to back movies yesterday. Jallikattu and Asuran. For few moments, I was feeling as if it’s a continuation of the other. Asuran starts from where Jallikattu ends. Even the sound and location looked the same (first two three scenes). I loved that connection.

“நாம கொலை பண்ணா கூட மானத்துக்காக தான் பண்ணோம்னு ஒத்துக்கிற மாட்டானுவ”

As the story unrolls, you will be treated with great cinematography by Velraj, and poignant musical renditions all the way. GV Prakash’s soundtrack is very poetic, powerful, portentous, and complex. Goosebumps guaranteed whenever Vaa Asura track is played. I’d watch this movie for this track induced scenes alone. The set design and costumes are flawless. The film is immaculate in technical terms, like the perfect sound designing.

Vetrimaaran breaks all norms of ‘big hero’ movies in Kollywood. The hero of ‘Asuran’ does everything that the usual ‘big heroes’ don’t do. Tamil industry is blessed with actors like Vijay Sethupathi and Dhanush. Impossible to think about another actor as Sivasamy. Even with so much non-cliched scenes for the hero, Asuran is still the most commercialised product, along with Pollathavan, from Vetrimaaran.

“இவனுங்க எது பண்ணாலும், போலீஸ் கண்டுக்கவே கண்டுக்காதா?”

Dhanush looks best in Vetrimaaran movies. Must talk more about them. Dhanush looked the best in Pollathavan. Example is the hospital scene where Kishore and Danial Balaji meets Dhanush. Then Aadukalam. Then Vada Chennai. Now Asuran. Vetrimaaran movies has emotions, especially sadness and anger, close to real life, that must be the reason why we are able to see the actors in their natural best. In Asuran also, Dhanush makes the character come to life. His performance is so good, especially as the aged father.Vetrimaaran movies has emotions, especially sadness and anger, close to real life, that must be the reason why we are able to see the actors in their natural best.

“இங்கே இவனுங்க வெச்சதுதான் சட்டமா, என்ன பண்ணாலும் நாம பொறுத்துட்டு போகணுமா? இவனுங்க எது பண்ணாலும், போலீஸ் கண்டுக்கவே கண்டுக்காதா?”

Manju Warrier is incredible as Pachaiyamma. So good to see her in such a powerful character and movie. Perfect entry to the Kollywood. Manju brings her grace to the screen as Sivasamy’s wife and does a superb job. While watching, I was thinking how she could do a character like this with so much ease. She did a similar role in Kanmadam long back but still she amazes. Malayalam filmmakers should watch this and give her stronger, deserving, characters. Very glad to see Pasupathy as Maama. He is such an underused actor. Hope to see him in more movies. Ken Karunas, and Teejay Arunasalam does a fine job. Ammu Abirami is beautiful and fits perfectly for the character. We will be seeing her in good projects.

I always introduce Vetrimaaran to my non-Tamil friends as a director who don’t know how to make a bad film. Asuran is another example. Vetrimaaran knows (knowingly or unknowingly) what to do in order to make a film look good. Asuran is not Vetrimaaran’s best but is definitely the best of the season from Tamil.

“நம்மகிட்ட காடு இருந்தா எடுத்துக்கிடுவானுங்க, காசு இருந்தா புடுங்கிக்கிடுவானுங்க. படிப்பை மட்டும்தான் நம்மகிட்டருந்து எடுத்துக்கவே முடியாது. சிதம்பரம், நீ நல்லா படி. படிச்சு வேலைக்கு போ. அதிகாரத்துக்கு வா. வந்துட்டு அவனுவ செஞ்சத செய்யாத. உனக்கு என்ன நடந்துச்சோ அத மத்தவனுக்கு நடக்காம பாத்துக்க”