After creating much hype and expectations, Ajith’s 50^th film Mankatha has hit the screens finally. Mankatha boasts of a huge star cast which includes Ajith, Trisha, Arjun, Andrea, Lakshmi Rai, Premji, Anjali and Vaibhav.  Ajith has a pivotal role in the film and all others orbit around him.

Vinayak Mahadevan (Ajith) is a Mumbai cop and he gets suspended for saving a convict from the encounter planned by other cops. All that Vinayak needs in his life is ‘money’. Sanjana (Trisha) falls for Vinayak and she introduces him to her dad. Her dad (Arumuga Chettiyar played by Jayaprakash) is a gambler and he deals with the bookies for IPL matches. Prithviraj (Arjun) is a CBI officer who is appointed to curb betting on cricket matches. Meanwhile, Vinayak joins Sumanth (Vaibhav), Ganesh (Ganesh) who is a sub inspector, Mahat (Mahat) who is a pub owner and Prem (Premji) who is a hacking specialist to steal Rs 500 Crores of betting money that will reach Arumuga Chettiyar. Then, there is a series of double crosses and they try to get the better of each other to procure the money.

Ajith steals the show with his killer looks and amazing dialogue delivery. He has not put a foot wrong in the entire film. Trisha has minimum scope to perform and does not make a mark. Premji is at his usual self and he tickles your funny bone once in a while. Arjun as the CBI officer is quite apt for the role and he looks fit as a fiddle. The rest of the actors merely appear as cameo performers.

The film is an out and out Ajith film. The Ajith phenomenon dominates the story and screenplay. There are logical lapses in the film and director Venkat Prabhu could have concentrated more on the screenplay. The first half has few sluggish moments and second half needs some trimming. Yuvan’s music is a huge disappointment and except ‘Vilayadu Mankatha’ number, all other songs look out of place. They could have done away with a few songs. Cinematographer Sakthi Saravanan has done a neat job.

Mankatha is a perfect carnival for Ajith fans. Remember the tag line ‘Strictly No Rules’ when you watch the film.