Rating: 3.5 / 5
Director A. R. Murugadoss has always been known for his foresight in storytelling. Films like 7aum Arivu once made audiences call him a “fortune teller,” as the story seemed to predict real-world events long before they happened. After delivering impactful films in the past and raising expectations with Amaran (2024) starring Sivakarthikeyan, the collaboration with composer Anirudh Ravichander for Madharaasi created huge anticipation. With such a strong combination of talent, this film arrived with a lot of curiosity from the audience.
Madharaasi is centered on the values of humanity, kindness, and selflessness. It tells the story of Raghu Ram, a man suffering from delusion syndrome after witnessing his family’s tragic death at a young age. From then on, he believes every helpless person he encounters is part of his family, which drives his actions. This unique emotional layer gives depth to the film’s central character while highlighting compassion in a world often filled with violence and selfishness.
The plot takes shape when North Indian mafia leaders Virat (Vidyut Jammwal) and Chirag (Shabeer Kallarakkal) try to push gun culture into South India to disrupt the peace among the states. Standing against them is Premnath (Biju Menon), an officer from the National Investigation Agency, along with his son Sandeep (Vikranth). How Raghu Ram, despite his mental condition, joins this battle to safeguard Tamil Nadu and its neighboring states forms the gripping core of Madharaasi.
Sivakarthikeyan delivers a performance that moves away from his earlier “innocent” and “childish” portrayals seen in his early career. As Raghu Ram, he brings intensity, vulnerability, and maturity to the screen, showing a visible transformation from his Marina days to Amaran and now Madharaasi. Vidyut Jammwal impresses with his menacing screen presence, while Biju Menon brings gravitas as Premnath. Rukmini Vasanth, though supported by Magalakshmi Sudarsanan’s dubbing, leaves a neat impression, and Vikranth as Sandeep has his moments. Shabeer Kallarakkal once again proves he can deliver impactful villainy with his role as Chirag.
On the technical side, Murugadoss’s direction ensures that the narration remains clear and engaging, unlike many mass films that collapse under weak storytelling. Cinematographer Sudeep Elamon captures the action and drama with sharp visuals, while editor A. Sreekar Prasad maintains a steady flow despite the 168-minute runtime. Anirudh Ravichander’s music, however, is not as catchy as expected, with songs lacking strong recall value. Dialogues deliver the message but sometimes fall short of leaving a strong impact.
Overall, Madharaasi stands out for its emotional storyline and clear narration. While it may not fully succeed in its commercial elements like chart-topping songs or memorable romantic sequences, the film succeeds in delivering a meaningful message about kindness and human values, layered within an action-thriller setup. Backed by Sivakarthikeyan’s strong performance and Murugadoss’s storytelling, Madharaasi is a film that connects with audiences who look for substance along with entertainment.
