Review: Vadam

Film: Vadam
Cast: Vimal, Natty, Sanshikasri, Munishkanth, Aadukalam Naren, Balasaravanan, Indhumathi, Madhusudhanan and others
Written & Directed by: Kenthiran V
Produced by: Rajasekar R
Music Director: D. Imman
Director of Photography: Prasanna S Kumar
Editor: Sabu Joseph VJ
Art Director: V. Sasikumar
Stunts: G.N. Murugan
Rating: 3.5 stars

Director Kenthiran comes up with a clean, neat engaging family entertainer that revolves around a man and the love he has for his bull, which is partially blind.

The plot of Vadam is set in a rural setting and revolves around the sport of Vada Manju Virattu, a form of the traditional Jallikattu.

Synopsis…

Rathnavel (Natty) is a powerful landlord, who fancies the sport of Vada Manja Virattu (A form of Jallikattu). He takes pride in the fact that the bulls that he owns are undefeated and that no player can overcome them and gain control over them when they are let loose.

The story begins with Rathnavel, who is careful about his livestock, sending a bull calf to the butchers because it is partially blind. He believes the calf will not be able to grow into a powerful bull that can challenge players in the sport of Vada Manja Virattu.

Vetrivel (Vimal), who is then a mere boy, happens to rescue the calf and falls in love with it. He brings it up like his own brother, unmindful of the fact that it does not have vision in one eye. Eventually, he trains the bull. Years pass, and the animal is trained so well that it emerges the champion in the sport of Vada Manju Virattu.

Rathnavel, who was taking pride that only his bulls have been undefeated in the sport, feels insulted. He looks to buy back the bull that Vetrivel owns. But Vetrivel makes it clear that he will not sell his bull for anything in this world.

Rathnavel’s ego is hurt and what happens then is what the film is all about…

Kenthiran comes up with a story that is refreshingly fresh and reasonably entertaining. He doesn’t look to preach or does not attempt to take a moral high ground. Vadam simply looks to entertain its audiences by narrating the tale of a man who will not give up his bull for anything in this world. It shows how an upright man, who wholeheartedly loves his pet, overcomes sinister attempts to kill him by those looking for revenge.

The film is not just an action drama, it has romance as much as it has revenge. The fact that Kenthiran’s film has a plot within a plot makes the developments interesting and engaging.

Kenthiran ticks all the right boxes in this film. From getting the casting right, to extracting neat, commendable performances, he has everything working in his favour.

Performances:
Vimal as Vetrivel comes up with a good performance that lends credibility to the plot. Natty, who plays his rival in the film, delivers an equally impressive performance, which in turn adds intensity to the plot. Shanshka Sri, who is relatively new to Tamil, makes you take note of her with her natural performance. Munishkanth, Aadukalam Naren and Balasaravanan all play good supporting roles to make this film, a complete entertainer.

On the technical front, Imman’s music is the film’s biggest strength. The National Award winning music director seems to have poured his heart and soul in to this film. The songs are catchy and highly enjoyable, while the background score is apt and amplifies the emotion being portrayed on screen.

Prasanna Kumar’s visuals are bright and colourful, and Sabu Joseph’s editing is sharp and to the point.

Verdict:
As a result of all the above-mentioned factors, Vadam emerges as a highly enjoyable entertainer. In fact, it aces the list of releases this week. Definitely worth a watch!