IT was a Thursday but the party had already started for Indian movie fans and particularly for the man they call 'Thala' (the Leader).
Indian superstar Ajith, nicknamed 'Thala', and an actor who has hordes of fans all over Asia, is back with his new movie ‘Vidaamuyarchi’ after a two-year absence. And fans in Malaysia just went ga-ga on Thursday.
Thousands of fans were seen all over the country as early as 5am in their attempts to be the first to catch the new movie. There were many cinemas in the country that offered early shows as early as 5.40am where hundreds of fans decided to catch the show before they go off to work after 9am.
And it was party all the way to the very end of the day. Be it a working day on Friday (Feb 7), that did not even stop thousands of fans who even decided to catch the late night show at 12am midnight.
In fact 'Vidaamuyarchi’ has the highest theatre count for an Ajith Kumar movie in Malaysia (The movie is now being shown in over 100 of cinemas country-wide). Releasing on Thursday in nationwide cinemas in Malaysia the movie was brought to fans by top local distributor 3 Dot Movies.
The premier show for the movie was held at TGV cinema at Pavilion Bukit Jalil which itself was a gala affair with dance performances by local dancers. The event was also was graced by many VIPs, media members and Malaysian Indian celebrities including Malaysian veteran politician Datuk M. Saravanan, the member of parliament of Tapah (since 2008).
It was indeed a night of celebration for Ajith fans in Malaysia as many had waited for two years for a new movie from the top-notch actor.
About 'Vidaamuyarchi’
Ajith Kumar’s much-anticipated film 'Vidaamuyarchi' was released in theatres worldwide on Thursday. The film, directed by Magizh Thirumeni and fully supported by Lyca Productions, has also received permission to air as early as 5.30am in Malaysian cinemas.
The film is reportedly made on a budget of Rs 200-250 crore (RM100-RM125 million)
The film, set against the backdrop of Azerbaijan, also stars 'Action King' Arjun Sarja, the evergreen Trisha, Regina Cassandra, rising stars Arav and Vijay Ramya.
Anirudh Ravichander, one of India's top music composer, has composed songs for the film.
Indian media said 'Vidaamuyarchi' is expected to have a grand opening with an estimated box office collection of Rs 40-plus crore (RM21 million) in India and at least another Rs 20 crore at the worldwide box office.
According to a report by Koimoi, Ajith charged more than half of the budget of the film, and his remuneration stands at Rs 110-120 Cr (RM50 million).
In the movie, Ajith's character, Arjun, and his wife, Kayal (actress Trisha), are going through issues in their marriage and the wife has asked for a separation. The couple then decide to take a long trip around the country (Azerbaijan) before the final goodbye.
However, their lives turn upside down when Kayal is kidnapped in Azerbaijan in their trip to the country due to several unfortunate incidents. Now, Arjun embarks on a mission to find his wife as the villains creates obstacles for him.
By far, Ajith’s performance stands out and steals the show and delivers what is expected from 'Thala.. He takes the cake as a troubled, worried and desperate man.
For at least 70% per cent of the movie, he seems to be out of luck and even the cops don't believe that his wife had been kidnapped. And at times looks very vulnerable against the antagonists.
As for Trisha, she delivers as a troubled wife but her scope at times was limited. In fact, Regina seems to steal the movie as the lead actress and veteran Arjun Sarja again is also commendable in his role as he had always done in previous movies.
A remake of the 1997 Hollywood film 'Breakdown', 'Vidaamuyarchi' attempts to craft an intense thriller that captivates audiences with its mix of suspense, action, and emotional depth.
But first and foremost, this is not a typical Tamil movie. It is nothing like the pot boiler massala as seen many times in the past and it is certainly not the family-action entertainer like Ajith himself is famous for.
The central idea of the film is undeniably intriguing, with a premise that promises high-octane action and a thrilling rescue mission. The core narrative keeps the audience invested, making it an exciting setup for a thriller.
But whether it is a hit with young moviegoers is the main question here ... The movie is made in the fashion that is more famous and well known for young movie-goers in the 90s.
And just like when a villain called Ajith 'Hey Boomer' in the movie; the movie could well be more acceptive for older movie fans. But Ajith fans, who are as young as 12 in Malaysia, will now have to prove they still and will love the actor, come what may.
Indeed, it is not usual, to see Ajith as an older person and very much just like any of us (but he does move into his usual top gear as the movie progresses to its climax).
A Note: Media reports has said that while the role doesn’t allow him to fully embrace his larger-than-life persona, Ajith does delivers a commendable performance, portraying a character driven by love and desperation. His charisma also shines through, particularly in action sequences.
This writer, however, do feel it is very bold for the actor to take on this role. It is also a time for Tamil cinema trying hard to regain its footing after a terrible 2024. A year where less than five of its movies were super-big hits.
The rest in 2024 were big letdowns including those movies from Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Surya, who suffered his biggest flop with 'Kanguva'. Even this year's much-hyped 'Viduthalai 2' with the ever reliable Vijay Suthupathi and Soori, failed to excite the fans.
It is now left to 'Thala' Ajith to turn things around. The start has been very encouraging, and many movie fans are now hoping 'Vidaamuyarchi' is the one to hit big time. Only time will tell.
But one thing for sure, film’s atmosphere is simply superb with its striking visuals. The sleek shots, especially those showcasing the Azerbaijani landscape, help elevate the film’s mood, giving it a polished look.
The pace sometimes drags in certain parts of the movie but the film does offers a few well-executed twists, especially in the second half.
And as many, many fans celebrate Ajith's return to the big screen, the Tamil moviedom itself will be praying and hoping that 'Vidaamuyarchi' hit the right box-office numbers.
Ans that folks, is the real 'suspense' Tamil moviedom is now awaiting.
