Madharaasi is a 2025 Tamil action drama directed by AR Murugadoss featuring Siva Karthikeyan in the lead role with Vidhyut Jamwal, Rukmini Vasanth, Biju Menon, Shabeer Kallarakkal and others playing crucial parts. And music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The film had fairly high expectations as it was considered the return of Murugadoss after a gap, and audiences were eager to see if the filmmaker still retained his signature touch of making action packed commercial cinema, that could also hold depth.
The plot in itself is not something extraordinary as it revolves around an effort to suppress gun culture in the city. What adds a slight twist is that the protagonist suffers from delusion disorder which shapes his perception of reality. Alongside this we see a romantic track and some emotional elements layered over the action. While the core of the story is not fresh it is the execution and writing that keeps it engaging. The first half moves at a racy pace that barely allows you to breathe while the second half slows down considerably, though never to the point of losing interest.
A crucial aspect that strengthens the writing is the flashback portion which explains why this delusion syndrome affects the hero. Unlike the exaggerated and unnecessary fake flashback sequences that have become common in many recent films, this one runs barely two or three minutes yet conveys an emotion that is genuine. It adds a layer of authenticity to the character and avoids the artificial melodrama that often drags down commercial cinema.
Murugadoss once again proves that writing and screenplay are often greater strengths than novelty of the plot. The screenplay is done with care and the placement of scenes works effectively to maintain rhythm. He is one of the few directors who is not lazy to write his film in a conventional yet effective way and this is evident throughout Madharaasi. Unlike some filmmakers who attempt to project themselves as the Nolan of the industry, Murugadoss remains a genuine writer and director who works with conventional templates and still delivers them with conviction. Many directors today walk in with stronger stories but fail in execution while Murugadoss on the other hand elevates a simple story into something that looks powerful. The film shows what proper structuring can do to even a familiar premise.
Technically Madharaasi is stunning. The cinematography and stunts are mounted on a scale that Tamil cinema rarely sees. There is a truck sequence where a massive collision plays out with cars being smashed and tossed, which feels as authentic and dynamic as any Hollywood action set piece. The impact is heightened further by the excellent sound design which captures every blast every shatter and every fall with a punch. Special credit must be given to Vidhyut Jamwal whose physicality and stunt work raise the bar as always but the real surprise comes from Siva Karthikeyan who for the first time convincingly matches Vidhyut’s physical intensity. The choice to rely on practical stunts and real explosions rather than overused green screen graphics makes the film feel raw and immersive. In terms of visual impact this is a five on five effort.
Anirudh Ravichander’s music adds another strong layer. While the songs follow the standard Tamil cinema template of an introduction track, a love song and a few situational numbers the treatment makes them fit seamlessly into the narrative. More importantly the background score plays an integral role in shaping the emotional and action scenes of the film. The pairing of action cinematography with a balanced sound design gives Madharaasi, a level of authenticity that makes you feel inside the world rather than watching from outside.
In the acting department every major performer contributes effectively. Shabeer Kallarakkal as Chirag is a standout who brings intensity and unpredictability to his character. Vidhyut Jamwal as Virat provides a powerful antagonist whose presence makes the stakes feel genuine, because when a villain feels untouchable the fear of what might happen if he breaks free becomes real. Siva Karthikeyan carries both strengths and weaknesses of his familiar persona. There are moments of his typical comic body language that feel repetitive but he also delivers in areas we rarely expect from him, especially in a brutal pre climax fight sequence that strips away the image of a soft entertainer and replaces it with a rawer more intense side. His portrayal of a man with delusion disorder is not flawless but is strong enough to leave an impact.
The film is not without shortcomings. The second half does fall with stretches that feel extended as though the narrative was fully resolved in the first half but required to be dragged further. Yet Murugadoss manages to cover most of these flaws through his screenplay which keeps the proceedings alive. Despite dips in momentum Madharaasi never collapses into dullness.
Overall Madharaasi stands as a significant return for AR Murugadoss. It may not boast of a groundbreaking story but the writing, execution, stunts, visuals, music and performances make it a complete cinematic experience. It is not flawless but it is undoubtedly a film worth watching at least once.
(What truly stands out here is not that Murugadoss reinvented anything but that he showed the audience of what honest writing can do. At a time when many Tamil directors speak like philosophers yet fail to translate their words into meaningful cinema, Murugadoss shows that films do not need self glorification they need sincere effort. He proves once again that he is a writer first and a director next and more importantly he is one who refuses to be lazy with his writing.)
Rating: 7/10⭐️
