Virundhu Movie Review: Barring Arjun’s Style, This Wannabe Thriller Is Messed Up
Synopsis:
In “Virundhu,” a series of mysterious deaths plagues a small town. The story begins with businessman John dying under suspicious circumstances after a meeting with his wife’s ex-lover. As more deaths follow, including that of John’s wife, the film follows an auto driver who teams up with others to uncover the truth behind these murders.
Review:
“Virundhu” attempts to deliver a gripping thriller but stumbles due to its convoluted execution and lackluster storytelling. The film introduces a web of characters and motives, making us question everyone’s intentions. Initially, the suspicion falls on John’s wife and her ex-lover, but the narrative takes unexpected turns, introducing new characters and shifting focus unpredictably.
The screenplay’s biggest flaw is its lack of depth. While it tries to keep the audience guessing with its numerous twists and turns, it fails to build a coherent world or develop its characters meaningfully. For instance, Arjun Sarja’s entrance is flashy and action-packed, but his character’s relevance to the story feels forced and underdeveloped. This is juxtaposed against the film’s attempt to flesh out the character of Hemanth, the auto driver, who becomes a central figure. His character arc, complete with a love story and a complicated marriage subplot, is overly detailed but ultimately irrelevant to the main plot, leading to a disconnect from the primary murder mystery.
The film’s pace suffers from these distractions, with its focus shifting back and forth between the central mystery and unnecessary subplots. The second half of “Virundhu” attempts to redeem itself with clever twists and a complex climax involving a cult group, which could have been engaging if revealed earlier. Unfortunately, these twists come too late to create a lasting impact, and the buildup feels more like a missed opportunity than a rewarding experience.
Short Verdict Quote:
“Virundhu” is a muddled thriller that sacrifices coherent storytelling for flashy sequences and late-arriving twists.
Subtitles:
- Introduction: The film sets up a mysterious series of deaths, creating initial intrigue.
- Character Confusion: Numerous characters are introduced, but their motivations remain unclear.
- Arjun’s Distraction: Arjun Sarja’s action-packed sequences feel out of place and irrelevant.
- Hemanth’s Overdevelopment: The auto driver’s story overshadows the central plot, adding unnecessary complexity.
- Late Twists: The film’s late twists, while intriguing, fail to compensate for the overall lack of narrative cohesion.
Virunthu Movie Cast and Crew Details
Actor – Arjun
Actress – Nikki Galrani
Supporting Actor – Gireesh Neyyar
Nikki Galrani Grandpa – Harishperadi
Director: Thamara Kannan
Producer: Gireesh Neyyar
Writer: Dinesh Pallath
Music: Ratheesh Vega
Lyrics: Rafeeq Ahmed, Hari Narayan, Mohan Rajan
DOP: Ravi Chandran, Pradeep Nair
Editor: VT Srejith
Pro – Saran
Tamilnadu Theatrical Release – D Narayanan Flims
