Aravan Movie Review

The least you expect from a period film are a few fantastic sequences that will make your jaw drop for their sheer inventiveness and music. But director Vasanthabalan’s third offering Aravan, based on Su. Venkatesan's novel Kaaval Kottam is so agonisingly snail-paced, you can't be blamed for nodding off to sleep in your seat.

The director has the means, but seems to lack the imagination required to pull off what he set out to achieve. A crisper script and a lighter directorial hand is missing here. Alas, it is an action film without any of the fun and excitement that ought to go with it.

Much of the film's problem lies in its sloppy narrative. The film set in 18th century is all about a bunch of people who steals from the wealthy to provide food and shelter for their tribe. Kombodhi (Pasupathy) is the gang leader and during one of his missions he meets the brave Varupuli (Aathi).

He brings Varupuli to his village and a bond develops between the two. But Varupuli has a past and his real name is Chinna and its is only in the last 20 minutes of the film that the real story unfolds.

One of the main problems with the film is the fact that our protagonist isn't a particularly a likeable character. To root for the hero you have to be fond of him, you have to want him to succeed. But it is difficult to feel affection or pity for Aathi’s character. Despite the earnest efforts put in by lead actors Pasupathy, Aathi, Dhansika and others, the film fails to deliver on the whole.

Karthik’s music is average and among them Nila Nila Poguthe and Unna Kolla Poren (reminds you of Unnaividae from Virumaandi) are melodious. The special effects especially the scene where Aadhi saves Pasupathy with hundreds of bulls around is spectacular.

At best some of that sweeping cinematography by Siddharth and Vijay Murugan’s sets are breathtaking, but that aside, this is one film which is not in the same league as the director's earlier films.