Virundhu Film Review: Aside from Arjun's Performance, This Aspiring Thriller Falls Short.
Virundhu Movie Synopsis: Within a span of one year, two individuals meet their demise under enigmatic circumstances. One of these individuals discloses a secret to an auto driver shortly before passing away. Armed with this information, the driver becomes part of a group determined to uncover the identities of the murderers.
Virundhu Movie Review: The film begins with the enigmatic death of John, a businessman, during a meeting with his wife's former lover. This initial scene raises immediate suspicions about the wife and her ex-partner. However, the plot thickens when the wife is also found murdered. This leads to questions about whether the culprit is her ex-lover or perhaps her seemingly resentful daughter, Perly (Nikki Galrani). As one engages with Virundhu, it prompts a critical examination of each character's motives. While the screenplay may be designed to maintain an air of mystery, it ultimately falls short, providing scant information about the setting and the characters, leaving viewers unable to discern their true intentions. This lack of depth is not the film's only flaw; the pervasive sense of suspicion appears to be a mere device to mislead the audience, paving the way for a twist-laden second half that aims to impress. Additionally, the camera work fluctuates erratically, lacking a coherent purpose, which detracts from the film's immersive experience.
Following a significant death, the film transitions to Arjun Sarja’s stylish introduction, where he effortlessly dispatches ten adversaries, a familiar spectacle for him. Shortly thereafter, the narrative returns to the deceased character's storyline, taking an additional hour to re-establish Arjun's presence. This delay prompts the audience to question the relevance of Arjun and the other characters. During this interval, we are introduced to Hemanth, an innocent and compassionate auto driver portrayed by Gireesh Neyyar. The filmmakers dedicate time to develop his character arc, highlighting his kindness and willingness to assist others. While the other characters remain underdeveloped, we gain an excessive understanding of Hemanth and his family, featuring a complimentary auto service, a romantic subplot, and a complex marital situation—all elaborately staged yet ultimately irrelevant as these characters do not reappear. Such superfluous subplots divert attention from the primary murder narrative.
In contrast to the typical structure found in Tamil cinema, Virundhu presents numerous twists and a skillfully crafted climax, maintaining audience engagement throughout the latter half. The genuine surprises, including the narrative involving a cult group, are unexpected. Their motivations and behaviors are intriguingly portrayed, offering a glimpse of the film's potential with a more polished screenplay. Nevertheless, these captivating elements are unveiled too late to create a lasting impression, leaving viewers to ponder whether the twists were truly worth the anticipation.
