Vada Chennai

Cast	:	Dhanush, Aishwarya Rajesh, Andrea Jeremiah Ameer, Samuthirakani, Daniel Balaji, Kishore, Pawan,
Director	:	Vetrimaaran
Cinematographer	:	Velraj
Music	:	Santhosh Narayanan
Editor	:	G. B. Venkatesh
Producer	:	Wunderbar Films
Release Date	:	October 17, 2018
Length	:	2 hours & 46 minutes
Language	:	Tamizh

My Thoughts

The first instalment in director Vetrimaaran’s ambitious-epic trilogy Vadachennai is a gangster film indeed, but with a twist! Anbu (Dhanush) is a national level carom board player and a starry eyed young man who gets lucky with love when he accidentally meets Padma (Aishwarya Rajesh). However, a simple argument between Anbu and a local goon results in twist of events which eventually transforms the fate of not only Anbu but also many others – Senthil (Kishore), Guna (Samuthirakani) and Velu (Pawan).

Vadachennai has such a strong and power packed script that in spite of a 166 minutes stretch, there is not a single dull moment. The pre-intermission scene is such a spectacle that it leaves us spellbound. The movie is broken into small chapters conveying how the protagonist Anbu’s (Dhanush) life gets linked with other core characters like Raja (Ameer), Thambi (Daniel Balaji), Senthil (Kishore), Guna (Samuthirakani), Velu (Pawan), Padma (Aishwarya Rajesh) and Chandra (Andrea Jeremiah). They are also interlinked so well that it indeed feels like watching a period drama. Of course, the story is spread across several years starting in 1987.

The background music is full of energy and elevates the scenes to another level. Ennadi Maayavi Nee is a pleasure to hear and the simplicity in montages further adds to the charm. The cinematographer seems to have used a darker shades, probably hinting the gruesome stories of the gangsters life – power, revenge, guilt, betrayal and what not! As far as the performances are concerned, everyone just nails it. They fit into the character’s skin and do justice to the role. Having said, Anbu and Chandra’s characterization has several layers and keeps us wondering if they are good or bad!

Vadachennai is a sheer pleasure to watch due to the perfection in the execution. Of course, there is a bit too much of gory scenes, inevitable they say in a gangster film. As I mentioned earlier, to hold audience’s attention for 166 minutes during the micro-films and online video streaming times is no joke – Vadachennai is a winner there. Watch out for the last 30 minutes of the film – that’s where the story actually begins and the motives become clear.

In short, don’t miss this one…And I think I may have to watch at least a couple of times more to understand the intention behind each scene… Needless to say, the wait for the second instalment begins!!!

Rating

4/5