Readers Write In #777: Thoughts on the well intentioned Vidamuyarchi!

By Bharath Vijayakumar

Vidamuyarchi is a pleasantly surprising low key action thriller, where Ajith remains a character and not the star that he is. In fact, even the minimum compromise of hero worship, that was in Nerkonda Paarvai, is done away with here. And that is really surprising, given the nature of this film. This is an extremely well-intentioned film that deserves rich praise for the way it dignifiedly handles its lead pair (Ajith and Trisha). If you can nitpick, then maybe we can have an argument if the film unintentionally sides with the character played by Ajith but given that this much is done in a mainstream action film with a huge star, it is definitely commendable. Also, to be fair to the film, it actually shows the cause and effect in the relationship and never comes across as judgmental. Looks like Ajith is really concerned about the way women are portrayed in his films. And this much care from such a huge star is really heartwarming. But how come even in such a film, we have the hero calling the villain, “Son of a B….”. It comes across as a glaring misstep.

The film as such has a pretty solid first half that builds up quite nicely and there is some tension. One of the film’s major issues is that while it doesn’t play to the gallery and hype up the hero, it is also a given that you know how things are going to end. So, you needed something to keep you really engaged. But this doesn’t really happen, and you are kind of waiting for the final face off. The villains are creepy and mysterious and all, but you also never sense any real danger in the second half. I am not familiar with the source material (Breakdown,1997) but take for instance, the Dulquer and Sai Pallavi starrer Kali (Malayalam). There was so much tension in that film. To Vidamuyarchi’s credit, it shows Ajith being vulnerable right through, but we don’t really get a meaty cat and mouse game. And if the idea was to make a straightforward action film, then it ought to have been a lot crisper. The terrain and visuals keep us engrossed for a while, but the action needed some adrenaline rush. For now, we have a watchable film that has many merits. And majority of those merits are part of its intentions and the way the film and its star courageously do away with playing to the gallery.