Veeran review: Hiphop Tamizha Adhi's superhero avatar thoroughly entertains despite minor flaws

3.5/5

Story: A teenage student, who gets struck by lightning in Veeranoor village, falls into a coma and is taken to Singapore for advanced treatment. He develops unique powers after sometime and visits his hometown after many years only to find that a shrewd businessman is planning something in his village which is harmful for residents. He capitalizes the belief villagers have on Veeran, a deity and couples it with his powers to stop the businessman from exploiting the people. However, the businessman is ruthless as hell and possesses vast knowledge in dangerous medicine. What will be the fate of innocent villagers? 

Review: ARK Saravan, who shot to fame with the fantasy drama Maragatha Naanayam, is back with Veeran, another fantasy tale. While the former relied on horror and humour elements, the filmmaker has focused on action and superhero elements this time around, supplemented by comedy.

It begins with Kumaran (Hiphop Tamizha Adhi), a teenage student getting struck by lightning and falling unconscious while his friends Selvi (Athira Raj) and Sakkarai (Sassi) remain shocked and clueless. Quite disturbed with his son's constant ill-health, Kumaran's father decides to send him to Singapore for better medical facilities.

Years later, he returns to his village to meet his friends and father. He gets to know that some of the people in his home town have been manipulated by a businessman to carry out a dangerous cable project for his selfish needs. He tries to save the villagers using a couple of unique powers he possessed over the years and takes advantage of their superstitions and belief system they have on their popular deity Veeran.

Despite following a regular hero-villain template with tried-and-tested superhero arcs, what makes Veeran interesting despite its minor flaws is the surprises that are revealed at regular intervals.

Weaving a story around a plot that is set in the background of a village that has several interesting characters and coming up with a convincing tale that supports the superhero element of the protagonist is not an easy task. Saravan manages to balance the heroic acts and comedy scenes to a large extent without diluting the effect of the former. 

Adhi pulls off the superhero character and shines in action scenes. Athira and Sassi are apt in their roles and so are other numerous characters who make notable appearances. A long interrogation sequence in a police station and a scene that involves a sacred ceremony which has a prominent character behaving unexpectedly bring the roof down. 

On the downside, comedy scenes work in parts only though the chemistry between Munishkanth and Kaali Venkat entertains. The antagonist's role essayed by Vinay Rai required more detailing. For a story that involves fantasy, heroism, action and a myth surrounding a deity, the climax should have been bigger and more exciting. 

The movie comes across as a rollicking entertainer which ticks all boxes when you watch a few scenes, but falls flat and predictable in some sequences. All said and done, Veeran entertains to a large extent, thanks to the impact some of the characters leave.

Verdict: Veeran is an enjoyable ride for all sections of audience if you overlook a few glitches. A better making style would have elevated the movie to another level, though.