Banner:
Vijaya Productions
Cast:
Ajith Kumar, Tamannaah, Santhanam, Vidharth, Abhinaya
Direction:
Siva
Production:
Srinu Babu .G
Music:
Devi Sri Prasad
What Rohith Shettys of the world will never understand is there on offer in director Siruthai Shiva’s Veerudokkade (dubbed version of Veeram). Watching Ajith in a white dhoti-clad role is a treat. Surrounded by entertaining sidekicks, Ajith is seen in a role that the Telugu audience will like.
One reason why Ajith (like Surya and Vikram) is more popular than any Tamil star (barring the legends Rajini and Kamal) is that he doesn’t act like a typical Tamil hero. His mannerisms are different. With a good built, he looks every bit that larger-than-life Telugu hero in this film.
There is a difference, though. On the face of it, this film is marked by hero-worshipping. It’s not so, at least going by the Telugu film standard. In Telugu films, superstars are needlessly deified so much so that a sidekick talking in a lighthearted manner with the hero is seen as blasphemy. In this film, Ajith’s character is respected, he is god for some, goon for the baddies and a devil for the villains, but a ground-to-earth, next-door elder for the rest of the villagers.
Such elements add so much of value to this good entertainer.
It’s a delight to watch Ajith in a non-suave role. He was marvellous in Gambler (Mankatha) but we, the Telugu audience, did miss him in a hatke role for role.
The story of brothers, affection, is like an old wine, and Siva has made amendments to put the vintage wine in a tasty cocktail of entertainment and commercialization.
Ajith is Veerendra, the affectionate elder brother of four, crossing the mountains to make it big and yes the traditional story indeed. And to make the brother bond firm and glued, he detests marriage. Enter Santhanam who takes the first half on a roller coaster ride of decent fun! The tirade he runs through by trying to get Veerendra fall in love along with the younger brothers is thoroughly enjoyable.
Tamannah is Gomathi Devi the bubbly doll, doing justice to her character is not just the usual heroine who runs behind her Romeo for duets and Siva has utilized her thoroughly. Bringing the little cupid that’s hidden in the rough and honest Veerendra is the first half, and “n” attempts later finally it happens. Never has mass action been related in such an enjoyable way with no much Punch dialogues and the best part is how neatly action has been unveiled!
After a crafty first half to a sentimental cum high voltage action packed second half with villains’ entry into the movie now and then, the film draws to a close with a lot of positivity. The train action sequence before the interval is worth mentioning and Ajith has performed some daredevil stunts and is really a goose bumpy scene indeed, credits to the Silva and the stunt engineers for pulling this off. Not to single out most of the fight sequences, this really gave the much required mass feel to Ajith and his looks!
Siva and Boopathy Raja’s storytelling deserves an applaud for it has taken the tested rural story and decorated it with mass, action and most importantly made use of Ajith’s enormous screen presence to the full potential. There are minor drawbacks like showcasing too much affection one too many times, these are very vintage sentimental trysts. The second half with sentiments and bonding is quite a lag, but on the whole it doesn’t jolt you much.
DSP is known to have given some excellent mass numbers in the past, however Veeram will sadly remembered only for its aggressive BGM and not the songs. The art directors and Vetri’s cinematography of the beautiful village milieu is relishable!
Coming to the cast, Ajith Ajith Ajith all the way! Most of the mass action movies have the heroes carrying the movie through the film, however this character has proved it doesn’t have to be! Ajith has demystified the fact that mass does not relate to entire movie presence, but the times you appear should make you stand up and clap!
After him, Santhanam is the key, with his one liners making you double with laughter and sticks well to the story as well. Tamannah performs deftly and she is gorgeous, as ever. Nassar, Viddharth, the brothers do their role well enough, with Pradeep menacing as a villain should be.
On the whole a complete family entertainer, finish your Pongal rituals and rush to Veeram! You ain’t gonna regret it!
Verdict : A decent entertainer. A must-watch for Ajith’s fans.