A Fanboy Fantasy with a Wild Heart
Verdict Quote: “A riotous celebration of Ajith Kumar’s stardom that’s gloriously messy, knowingly shallow, and absolutely fun.”
Plot? Sure, But Not Really the Point
The plot of Good Bad Ugly is paper-thin and mostly acts as a launchpad for Ajith Kumar’s swagger-filled return to the big screen. A gangster who walked away from his violent past to keep a promise to his wife is thrust back into chaos when his son lands in jail. The film attempts to explore the father-son dynamic but never commits fully to the emotional core. Instead, it barrels ahead with a singular mission: to celebrate Ajith in all his vintage glory.
Ajith Kumar – The Star, The Aura, The Madness
This film is less a narrative and more an unapologetic showreel of Ajith’s greatest hits. He breaks the fourth wall, dances like nobody’s watching, fights like a comic book hero, and grins with an ease rarely seen in his recent performances. Director Adhik Ravichandran, a self-confessed fanboy, makes sure every frame is a love letter to Ajith’s legacy.
From racing references to callbacks to his early days, everything is meticulously curated to blur the line between Ajith the actor and AK the character. Whether you love or hate this approach, Ajith seems to be having the time of his life — and that energy is infectious.
Direction: Adhik’s Audacious Approach
Adhik Ravichandran doesn’t just lean into fan service — he dives headfirst into it. His irreverent filmmaking style means that logic, continuity, and realism take a backseat. Scenes that break the fourth wall, abrupt cameos, exaggerated character arcs, and constant throwbacks might seem jarring elsewhere, but here, they are intentional tools of madness.
The director’s conviction is what sells this chaos. He’s not aiming for depth; he’s aiming for dopamine. And he mostly delivers.
Performances: The Ajith Show (With a Few Honorable Mentions)
While Ajith eats up every scene, the supporting cast puts in functional performances. Trisha’s character arc feels underwritten, and Arjun Das, despite sporting a wildly debatable hairdo, brings some flair to his role. Sunil adds a dose of fun, while Prasanna is sadly underutilized. Karthikeya Dev as Ajith’s son tries to make an impression but is overshadowed by the towering presence of AK.
Music & Technical Brilliance
The film’s soul is embedded in its music. With the nostalgic touch of Ilaiyaraaja, Vidyasagar, and Anirudh, and a chaotic, pulse-pounding background score from GV Prakash Kumar, the film stays high on energy throughout.
Vijay Velukutty’s editing ensures that the pacing never slacks, and Abhinandan Ramanujam’s cinematography captures both the mayhem and the glamour with slick flair. Even in its most absurd moments, the film looks good.
Flaws That Don’t Hurt the Ride
Yes, the writing is shallow. Yes, the emotional beats rarely land. And yes, the film overloads on references and nostalgia. But Good Bad Ugly doesn’t try to hide these flaws. Instead, it embraces them with such unhinged confidence that they become part of its charm.
Final Thoughts
Good Bad Ugly is a self-aware celebration of stardom, chaos, and unfiltered fandom. It’s a madcap ride that doesn’t care for logic or structure — and somehow, that’s exactly why it works. It’s not for everyone, but for Ajith fans and those who love outrageous cinema that knows it’s outrageous, this is one wild, fun ride.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Short Verdict: Ajith Kumar shines in a film that throws the rulebook out the window — and dances on it. A flawed, fun, and fiery fanboy celebration.
