Maareesan Review

Mareesan directed by Sudheesh Shankar released in July 2025 with a cast led by Fahadh Faasil, Vadivelu, Kovai Sarala and Vivek Prasanna. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film’s teaser and trailer hinted at a lighthearted or comic narrative, leading many to expect a fun experience. But what arrived instead was a suspense thriller, catching viewers completely off guard. The shift in tone is perhaps the most surprising element of this film.

In terms of performances the film begins strong. Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu deliver compelling acting that anchors the story. Their presence gives the film a sense of depth and direction. What starts off as a potential comedy turns into a thriller, and that twist works for a while. It felt like the film was aiming to be different, with a unique storytelling approach and enough tension to keep the audience interested. 

Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music does not play a major role in this film, and that is understandable. This is not a movie built around songs. The soundtrack blends in well where required. A few old Ilaiyaraaja tracks are used to elevate certain scenes. The background score supports the mood. It is not a musical highlight but still contributes where it can.

Visually Mareesan surprises in a good way. For a film made on a modest budget, the cinematography stands out. The locations are picturesque and grounded, often resembling the aesthetics of a well made Malayalam film. The use of green screens in a few places is noticeable, but it does not take away much from the viewing experience. The visuals are mostly pleasing and consistent with the film’s tone.

However, Good acting and visuals do not make a film complete. One of Mareesan’s biggest flaws lies in its character development. Apart from the central roles played by Fahadh and Vadivelu, none of the other characters feel important. Kovai Sarala and Vivek Prasanna are wasted in poorly written roles. Their characters do not have any meaningful arc or impact. Even the antagonist is underwhelming. There is no powerful opposition for the hero to face, and this weakens the story. Every other role feels like a background figure. They enter and exit without leaving any impression.

The emotional connect of the film is also very low. A crucial incident in the story had the potential to connect with the audience. It is something that has been used in many films before, but that is not the problem. Familiar stories can still be powerful if written well. Unfortunately here the writing falls flat. The moment feels distant. There is no emotional pull. The viewer is left observing rather than feeling.

The screenplay is uneven. The film relies heavily on the acting and a few unexpected turns to hold attention. But beyond those, the writing does not offer much strength. The scenes feel scattered. The transitions between major moments lack rhythm. It becomes clear that the film is not tightly written. This also affects the pacing. The runtime feels stretched. Whether it is due to poor scene selection or just slow storytelling, the film starts feeling longer than it actually is. And this becomes disappointing because the story had potential.

Overall Mareesan is a decent film. It is not a complete failure, but it is far from fulfilling. It has strong performances and a few clever ideas, but the writing lets it down. The emotional disconnect and weak character arcs stop it from becoming a great film. It is a one time watch.

Rating 6/10⭐️