Ace – A Refreshingly Breezy Heist Drama with Heart and Humour
Direction & Storytelling
Director Arumugakumar crafts Ace as a welcome departure from the trend of message-heavy cinema. At a time when many filmmakers attempt to tackle societal issues like caste, religion, or nationalism, Ace chooses to keep things light, funny, and breezy. That decision pays off beautifully.
Rather than spoon-feeding lessons or delivering lectures, Ace focuses on what audiences often yearn for – escapist entertainment done right. It’s a smart, funny, emotional ride wrapped in the disguise of a heist drama. What sets it apart is the tightness in its writing: the film neither insults your intelligence nor veers into senseless comedy. It strikes a fine balance between commercial flair and narrative logic.
Plot Summary
Bolt aka Bold Kannan (Vijay Sethupathi), looking to bury his past and begin anew, lands in Malaysia. By a mix-up, Arivukarasan (Yogi Babu), a scrap dealer, mistakes him for someone sent from India and ropes him in as a labourer.
Kannan ends up working in a small eatery owned by the beautiful Divya Pillai, whom Arivu secretly fancies. Soon, Kannan’s life entangles with his fiery neighbour, Rukku (Rukmini Vasanth). Their initial friction gradually blossoms into romance.
However, Kannan learns both Divya and Rukku are facing severe financial troubles. What follows is a thrilling and emotionally satisfying journey as Kannan devises a clever heist plan to help them, all while confronting elements from his own dark past.
Performances
Vijay Sethupathi steals the show with his charisma and subtle intensity. Leaner, sharper, and incredibly composed, he effortlessly slips into the role of Bolt Kannan – delivering one of his most likeable commercial performances in recent times.
Rukmini Vasanth is a revelation. As Rukku, she is authentic, emotionally resonant, and deeply rooted. She’s convincing as a strong, no-nonsense Tamilian woman in Malaysia, and her chemistry with Sethupathi adds a lovely layer to the film.
Yogi Babu returns to his comedic strengths. His timing is impeccable, his jokes land naturally, and he shares a wonderful dynamic with Sethupathi. This is Yogi Babu in his element, and the film benefits from his restrained yet effective humour.
Divya Pillai delivers both glamour and depth. Her screen presence is magnetic, and she brings warmth to her role.
Babloo Prithviraj, as the villain, is menacing and grounded. His portrayal of a corrupt cop adds gravitas to the conflict and raises the stakes convincingly.
Technical Aspects
Music & Background Score:
Sam C S handles the background score with finesse, adding a pulse to the heist moments and emotion to the drama. Justin Prabhakaran’s songs are soulful and catchy, blending seamlessly into the film without feeling forced.
Cinematography & Editing:
The visuals capture Malaysia’s urban and local charm, with sleek editing that ensures the pacing never lags. The transitions between humour, romance, and thrill are smooth.
What Works
A tight, engaging screenplay with emotional depth.
Lovable characters with strong performances across the board.
Clean humour that doesn’t rely on crassness.
A well-executed heist without over-the-top action.
Melodious music and a vibrant setting.
What Could Have Been Better
While the story is heartwarming, a few plot conveniences (especially in the heist planning) could have used a bit more detailing.
Some supporting characters might feel slightly underdeveloped.
Short Verdict:
“Ace is a charming blend of heist, heart, and humour – a feel-good entertainer that wins big with simplicity and soul.”
Final Verdict
‘Ace’ is an uplifting, well-rounded commercial entertainer that knows its audience. It doesn’t try to be preachy or revolutionary — instead, it focuses on giving viewers a good time, with well-placed laughs, touching romance, and a satisfyingly clever heist plot.
ACE Cast and Crew
TITLE: ‘ACE’
PRODUCTION BANNER: 7Cs Entertainment
PRODUCER: Arumugakumar
CAST:
Vijaysethupathi as bolt kannan
Yogi Babu as Arivukarasan
Rukmini Vasanth as Rukmini
Babloo Prithiviraj as Rajadurai
Divya Pillai as kalpana
BS Avinash as Dharma
Rajkumar as Raj
CREW:
WRITER, DIRECTOR: Arumugakumar
DOP: Karan B Rawat
SONGS: Justin Prabhakar
ORIGINAL BACKGROUND SCORE & SONGS: Sam CS
EDITOR: Fenny Oliver
CHOREOGRAPHY: Raju Sundaram, Leelavathi
STUNT (INDIA):
Dinesh Suburayan, Don Ashok
STUNT (MALAYSIA):
Ricky, Jamesh Chung
ART: AK Muthu
Lyrics: Thamarai, Ratty, Vettipaiyan Venkat
Production Executive : M.K.SayiSundar
PRO: yuvaraj
