Vivegam - An action film with international flavour in making style

After delivering the super hit 'Veeram' and the blockbuster 'Vedalam' director Siva has teamed up with Ajith for the third time for 'Vivegam' which is much much bigger in scale as well as pre-release expectations. Let's see how the film has come out.

Vivegam is the story of Counter Terrorist Wing Agent Ajay Kumar aka AK ( Ajith) who destroys the ploy of traitors to cause many man-made earthquakes and kill a lot of innocent people across countries. He achieves this huge mission as a lone Survivor of a near dead attack. How he does that and who are his enemies are the things that needs to be watched in theatres

First things first, 'Vivegam' is not just a mass movie. It is packed with true international flavour and the story as well as narration is something new to Tamil cinema The film warrants keen watching as the story involves a lot of high technology concepts and details of international security agencies. Full credits should go for the lavish spending of producers Sathya Jyothi Films, visuals by cinematographer Vetri and fantastic Art direction. Especially the biggest credit for this should go to the production team. The film has the gloss required for an international film and in that aspect the producers have lived up to the expectations over the banner which has been producing good quality films over the past 3.5 decades.

The biggest problem of the film is its predictable story and screenplay. Yes the story itself retains the international flavour as promised by the makers. But the way that has been used wants us to forget the logic and completely suspend disbelief. The introduction of concepts such as Secret Society controlling the entire world needs better detailing and lacks even the basic understanding of such groups.A purported international war has been reduced as a mere fight between over powerful and clever hero and villain in this film. Especially in the second half the logic takes a complete beating. The way certain things such as a satellite bomb provide for unintended fun. Many happenings in the second half cat and mouse game between the hero and villain can be termed as an attack on the sense of the audience.

Having said these. Siva has to be credited for packing the film with enough mas moments that will satisfy Ajith fans. The emotional quotient in the form of husband-wife relationship also works to an extent. But it is comical to see the heroine literally singing a song during the climax fight between the hero and the villain. Siva has also done a spectacular job in the dialogue department as usual. The mass dialogues of Ajith are spot on while the general ones are also powerful.

‘Vivegam’ will please Ajith fans and action film lovers. Others may have to get satisfied with the style of making and production values that make it a Tamil film with a true international flavour.

Ajith has given his best and he is the perfect choice for an international agent. He looks fit and the phenomenal hard work for the same is quite evident.The life threatening risks he generally takes for the stunt sequences have reached over the top in this film and in that sense he has given something no other actor could have given for this character. The AK character has been written with ample features that reflect the real life persona of Ajith and that itself may be a treat for his die-hard fans. But the film does not pose any challenge for him in acting and performance. Not even as much as 'Vedalam' did. Fans who wish to enjoy his performance other than stunts and dialogues cherishing his real life persona, will have to get satisfied with some lighter moments he shares with Karunakaran in the first half.

Kajal looks homely and ravishing and her character plays a vital part in the film but her characterisation as a submissive wife who sings carnatic songs and plays Veena makes it highly stereotypical. Vivek Oberoi has got a multi- dimensional character and it will be a solid debut for him in Kollywood. Karunakaran does his part well and provides some lighter moments. The much hyped Akshara Haasan's role is sadly reduced to a cameo.

Anirudh's bgm packs the punch for a mass hero action film like 'Vivegam'. In most places the presence of the music is not overbearing and that itself is a appreciable aspect of his work The already hit songs are optimally used and pictured well. Vetri's visuals bring in the much needed international flavour Stunt sequences are simply awesome. Milan's Art direction is another big plus for the film and plays a vital role in bringing the international feel to the film.

Verdict: Watch 'Vivegam' for its international flavour, Ajith and the action sequences.