VISITOR COLUMN

When the news of Ajith joining hands with director Gautham Vasudev Menon (GVM) broke, the anticipation for the film soared. To make the news even sweeter, Harris Jayaraj reunites with GVM after almost seven years. As it was somehow revealed to be an action-thriller (GVM’s forte), the anticipation soared even higher for Yennai Arindhaal (YA). 

 

Touted as the final installment of GVM’s ‘trilogy’ of cop films, YA is about an IPS officer Sathyadev whose actions to uphold law-and-order in the past comes back to haunt him later in his life in the form of a vengeful criminal by the name of Victor. 

 

Ajith was at his best, as the cop-with-attitude Sathyadev and also as the doting dad. He may have played a cop in Mankatha albeit a negative one but like all other the cop characters in GVM’s previous films, Ajith as Sathyadev duly impressed and captured the hearts of the audience as well. Arun Vijay in his negative role as Victor was a revelation. He showed the performer in him here. Like Jeevan for Pandya and Daniel Balaji-Saleem Baig for the Amuthan-Illamaran duo, Arun Vijay has created an identity for himself. Gautham has always shown his lead ladies in a positive and dignified manner and he continues that in YA. Both Trisha and Anushka performed well with elan as per the character requirements. Rest of the cast including Vivek, Anikha, Ashish Vidyarthi, Parvathy Nair were impressive in their respective roles.

 

The technical aspects of the film are of top quality. The two DoPs, Dan MacArthur and SR Kathir has done a brilliant job with the camera. The realism in the entire film was retained and the songs Unakkena Venum Sollu and Mazhai Vara Poguthu were well picturised. Harris Jayaraj  who has always reserved his best for GVM, has delivered again. Thanks to editor Anthony, the momentum of the film was intact and the narration was smooth although YA had a non-linear storyline. Silva’s action choreography was realistic and his did a good job on-and-off the screen as well.

 

After the debacle of Neethane En Ponvasantham, GVM returns to his trusted domain and succeeds.YA is a classy action thriller delivered in a typical Gautham Vasudev Menon-style, complete with superb performances by the entire cast, excellent BGM, realistic action and not forgetting the special appearance by the director himself. 

 

 

Rating: 4.5/5

Verdict: Top-notch product, delivered in a typical GVM style.