Mahaan Review: Vikram’s Classy And Dhruv’s Massy Avatars Are The Highlights Of This ‘Intoxicating’ Film

Finally, the long hiatus comes to an end. Marking the maiden collaboration of Chiyaan Vikram and son actor Dhruv Vikram in full-fledged roles, Mahaan released digitally on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday (February 10).

Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the action thriller features an ensemble cast including Bobby Simha, Simran, Vani Bhojan, Sananth, Deepak Paramesh and others. Mahaan is bankrolled by SS Lait Kumar under the banner of Seven Screen Studio. Did the film live up to the standards? Let's find out!

Plot

The film begins and ends with a thoughtful quote by Mahatma Gandhi: Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. The Karthik Subbaraj directorial follows Gandhi Mahaan, who is named so by his Gandhian father, who hopes that his son would toil and sacrifice his life for the nation, as he and the forebears of the family are known for their history of fighting for their country's freedom and initiating movements to ban toddy.

Cut to 1996, he is a commerce teacher and most importantly a family man. Unlike his family members, Mahaan believes in living life king size and on his terms, but out of fear he tries to adapt to reality. Later, when his wife and son scoot away for a trip to Tirupati on his 'real' birthday, he decides to unburden himself and do all things he has always wished to do just for that one day.

In the bar, he coincidentally meets his expelled student Rocky and his father, Mahaan's childhood friend Sathyavan. Things take a steep turn when he turns up at his home the next morning with a few bundles of cash and worse, partially intoxicated. Shocked to see him in a never-seen-before state and attitude, the wife decides to abandon him for good. Later, he partners with his friend and toddy seller Sathyavan to establish an alcohol brand Sooraa. Their business flourishes and in no time, it becomes a business empire. Years later, Mahaan's son (Dada), now the head of a special squad turns the table after the Tamil Nadu government seeks his team's help to wipe out the liquor mafia from the state.

Will Mahaan and Dada come face to face during the latter's mission? Has Dada returned to take revenge on his father? Will the father get the shocker of his life and repay for his 'sins'? Will the whole game change upside down? Well, to get all the answers you will have to watch Mahaan exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video.

What's Wow? The unique concept, gripping sequences, thrills and spills throughout, and of course Vikram, Dhruv, Bobby Simha and Simran's exceptional performances

What's Ouch? Predictable at places

Story And Direction

Karthik Subbaraj is known for his unique writing skills. Adding major twists and turns, the writer-director has tried his best to make the story gripping. Despite having heavy twists, the film doesn't really wear out the audience. Bringing two big actors to a canvas is surely not an easy task, however, Karthik has weaved the storyline in such a way that it gives breathing space to both Dhruv and Vikram's characters. In fact, the other supporting actors were also able to churn out the dimensions of their characters perfectly, and it wouldn't be possible without a good script. The amalgamation of visuals and audio have also added beauty to the already gleaming film. Having said that, a few predictable sequences could have been easily avoided.

Performances

Vikram: The actor sure knows what his audiences yearn for. His power-packed performance has its own charm that makes one think if he really is the hero or the villain in the film. In most parts, it is his eyes that do all the talking. His subtle gestures, on-screen presence, facial expressions, flawless acting chops and dialogue delivery indeed has all answers as to why he is called one of the finest method actors in India.

Dhruv Vikram: Though he only appears in the second half of the film, he takes the lead as soon as he enters the scene. From the very first shot to the last sequence, it is his show altogether. Although the actor is only two films old, with Mahaan, seems like he has finally joined the race and might even give a tough contest to the other seasoned stars in the times to come. If you were only amazed by his good looks until this time, his latest film will give you more reasons to adore this rising star. His on-screen presence and the intensity he has added to his character Dada is purely incredible.

Bobby Simha, Sananth and Simran have also played their respective characters to a fare-thee-well and are undoubtedly the show stealers.

Technical Aspects

Santhosh Narayanan's music is mostly gripping in the film. Its perfect blend with the cinematography is quite appreciable. Be it capturing the black and white era or the present settings, Shreyaas Krishna's camerawork works very well in the film's favour. Overall, the film doesn't really wear out the audience, and the compliment also goes to editor Vivek Harshan, who has edited Mahaan in a way that is gripping and has its true essence.

Verdict:

You probably have seen nothing, if you haven't met this classy Vikram. The actor never disappoints us with his choices of work, and this too goes straight to the illustrious list. We wish Dhruv's maiden project was Mahaan and not Adithya Varma. In simple terms, Mahaan stays true to its genre and most importantly exclusivity in all sense.