Rating:
4.0/5
Star
Cast:
Dhanush,
Aishwarya
Rajesh,
Andrea
Jeremiah,
Samuthirakani,
Daniel
Balaji
Director:
Vetri
Maaran
Gangster
drama
is
not
a
genre
that
is
something
new
to
Tamil
cinema
and
we
have
witnessed
a
good
number
of
movies
that
have
stayed
true
to
the
genre.
But,
when
a
film-maker
like
Vetrimaran
and
an
actor
like
Dhanush
come
up
with
a
film
of
this
genre,
the
expectations
are
bound
to
be
at
a
different
level.
Has
Vada
Chennai
lived
up
to
those
hype
and
expectations.
Read
our
review
to
know
more
about
the
same.
The
plot
of
Vada
Chennai
is
set
against
the
backdrop
of
North
Chennai
and
the
story
spans
within
the
time
period
of
1987
-
2003.
It
takes
us
through
the
life
of
Anbu,
who
is
a
state
level
carrom
player
and
how
his
life
gets
intervened
in
the
gang
wars
between
two
different
groups
who
have
been
fighting
it
out
since
1987.
The
storyline
of
Vada
Chennai
might
not
be
something
new
as
it
follows
some
of
the
templates
of
the
gangster
movies
that
we
have
seen
but
still,
its
presentation,
the
premises,
the
effective
characterisation
and
the
narrative
pattern
make
this
movie
a
cut
above
the
rest.
The
film
shifts
between
the
past
and
the
present,
with
the
various
chapters
unveiling
in
front
of
the
audiences.
Vetrimaaran's
control
over
the
entire
film
is
quite
evident
as
he
never
ever
misfires
in
communicating
with
the
audiences.
Such
a
narrative
pattern
is
never
easy
to
be
convinced
but
the
film-maker
succeeds
in
that
with
elan.
Due
credits
must
be
given
to
the
writer-director
for
giving
due
importance
to
each
character.
None
of
the
important
characters
of
the
film
are
left
without
being
addressed
and
each
one
of
them
has
his/her
own
importance.
They
have
been
given
equal
space
much
like
the
lead
hero
of
the
movie.
In
fact,
it
is
one
among
the
very
few
films,
which
has
used
its
characters
to
perfection.
Vada
Chennai
doesn't
lose
its
realistic
quotient
at
any
point
of
time
and
at
the
same
time,
it
keeps
you
entertained
as
well.
The
romantic
sequences,
the
lighter
moments
etc.,
are
a
part
of
the
narrative
pattern
and
they
gel
well
without
protruding
out
at
any
point
of
time.
It
is
filled
with
riveting
sequences
as
well.
The
long
build
up
to
the
pre-interval
sequence,
the
sketching
sequences,
the
tension
that
builds
up
during
the
function
organised
by
Thambi
etc.,
are
a
few
examples
that
hit
the
bulls-eye
in
this
department.
Vada
Chennai
is
rich
in
performances
with
each
of
the
actor
getting
the
big
chance
to
perform.
More
importantly,
we
get
to
see
characters
and
not
the
actors.
Dhanush
breaths
life
as
Anbu
and
anchors
the
movie
perfectly
with
his
top
notch
performance.
Samuthirakkani,
Kishore,
Daniel
Balaji
etc.,
come
up
with
solid
performances
in
well-written
roles.
Andrea
Jeremiah
as
Chandra
is
indeed
a
revelation.
Aishwarya
Rajesh
does
complete
justice
to
the
role
of
Padma.
Ameer
steals
the
show
as
Rajan,
especially
in
the
flashback
sequences
in
the
second
half.
Santhosh
Narayanan's
BGM
does
wonders
for
the
movie,
especially
in
the
second
half.
His
songs
have
been
used
exceedingly
well
in
the
narrative.
Cinematography
by
Velraj
is
top
notch.
It's
never
easy
to
helm
the
editing
table
of
movie
like
Vada
Chennai
and
Sreekar
Prasad
has
shown
his
expertise
and
experience.
The
word
fabulous
would
be
an
understatement
for
this
extremely
well-etched
movie,
which
is
raw,
real
and
entertaining.
Vada
Chennai
has
offered
a
befitting
start
for
the
trilogy.