THUNIVU (2023)

Critic No. 305

Director: H. Vinoth

Written by: H. Vinoth

Produced by: Bayview Projects LLP, Zee Studios

Casts: Ajith Kumar, Manju Warrier, Samuthirakani, John Kokken, Pavani Reddy, Ciby, Bagavathi Perumal, Ajay, Prem Kumar, Amir

Music: Ghibran

Language: Tamil

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

SYNOPSIS: 

A mysterious mastermind (Ajith Kumar) and his team form a plan and commit bank heists across Chennai, but their motive of the heists remains mysterious.

REVIEW:

Contrary to many opinions, I felt that H.Vinoth and Ajith Kumar’s previous venture ‘Valimai’ had some layers of research but the true intention was destroyed by the unnecessary melodramatic family sentiments. In ‘Thunivu’ H.Vinoth gets to the story right in the first minute and till the end frame, there are no gaps moving at a super fast pace that keeps you guessing. 

The film does full justice to its action genre and without suffocating, Vinoth moves the narrative with well balanced action set pieces that gradually become bigger and grander. Besides just being a heist film, Vinoth keeps the suspense of the film till the 3rd quarter of the film quite well. 

He also packs in with his typical detailing which he flexed in Theeran. From the way financial scams are done to what happens to the hard-earned money that customers deposit in a bank, Vinoth conveys a bunch of messages without being too preachy. Some of this even flows right over our heads given the fast-paced nature of the film but the core sticks. 

Ajith is in full fun mode in this and after Mankatha (2011) and Yennai Arindhal (2015), this can be easily classified as one of his best performances in the past decade of his career. I hope he maintains his loosened up act in his next films as well. Manju Warrier is great in action set pieces and looks comfortable in them. Contrary to many big hero vehicles where lead actresses are sidelined for just songs, it is great to see her having equal space of solo action scenes and even moments that she saves Ajith’s life. This is almost impossible in testosterone driven big star films and kudos to Vinoth to write as such.

Other supporting actors are quite functional and among those Mohana Sundram as the senior journalist cracks us with his witty one liners that fit well with the socio political stand that Vinoth is trying to sell. Nirav Shah’s exquisite camerawork and Vija Velukutty’s trim cuts help to overlook the narrative to a certain extent. Ghibran's songs are good and placed well in the narration. I just felt that the score could have been more inventive and less loud.

Personally, I found the flashback, though informative, less moving. We also don’t get the urgency or empathize with Dark Devil’s gang as not much screen time was given to build that context. I really hope that as much as Vinoth puts in effort to research about his subject matter and get his information across in his films, he will get the emotional world building stronger next time which will really bring him to the top league of directors in Indian cinema.

VERDICT:

‘Thunivu’ engages thoroughly with its jet speed pace, well researched screenplay and a significant message about financial frauds, marking a glorious return of form for both Ajith Kumar and H. Vinoth.

CELLULOID METER- 3.5/5: