Rating: 10/10 (Masterpiece)

Cast: R. Madhavan, Vijay Sethupathi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Shraddha Srinath

Story-Screenplay-Dialogues-Direction: Pushakar & Gayatri

Producer: S. Sashikanth

Banner: Y NOT Studios

After a long time, another Tamil multi-starrer has come out. Starring the talented R. Madhavan and the incredibly gifted Vijay Sethupathi, Vikram Vedha was definitely one of the most awaited films in recent times. Directed by husband and wife dueo debutants Pushkar and Gayatri, how does this action drama fare? It's a sure shot blockbuster let's find out why.

Plot: When an encounter specialist named Vikram (Madhavan) believes that there is only good and evil in the world and that police are always good and criminals are always bad, his beliefs are challenged by a dreaded crime lord named Vedha (Vijay Sethupathi) through his own personal backstories he narrates to Vikram.

Performances: I always knew R.Madhavan was a talent and this is coincidentally the first film I've ever seen with him in it. Madhavan is absolutley superb as Vikram and is obviously one of the reasons why the film is so good. He breathes life into the character of Vikram and rocks throuhgout the movie with his witty one liners and the way Vedha changes him is simply superb.

The man of the moment and the show stealer is of course the man himself, Vijay Sethupathi. You can't read Indian film news and not hear at least one mention of his name. I've only heard of his acting capabilities but after watching this film, I've now understood why he's slowly emerging as the next superstar of Tamil cinema. Sethupathi is absolutely scintillating as Vedha and his flashbacks are highly entertaining and his introduction scene is one the best in recent times. He plays the gangster with a heart with such conviction and perfection that you actually forget at times that he's the villain. At the end of the film, chances are you will like Vedha more than Vikram

Shraddha Srinath and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar are good in their respective roles as romantic interests. The actors that play Pulli, Cheta, and Ravi are all superb and do a great job.

Direction: In their first film, Puskhar and Gayatri have delivered a masterpiece. Albeit what seems a routine story at first, Vikram Vedha's brilliance lies in it's storytelling. Specifically because it's perhaps the first film that tries to justify the villains actions and show that there is actually more to Vedha than just a criminal who kills people and is wanted for murder. He's a family man, an honest worker, and most importantly just wants what's best for his family and himself just like everyone else. The film successfully makes you sympathize with the villain for once and shows that he actually has a heart and cares about others that just himself. Add the perfect conflicts and subplots and the witty one liners, their direction is absolutely flawless and it makes Vikram Vedha an absolute classic.

Technicalities: Music and BGM by Sam CS is incredible and riveting. The BGM plays a huge part in making the film seem so good. Cinematography by PS Vinod is excellent. The film sort of has a grey color scheme to it and fits well with the offbeat mood of the film. He has shown the not so colorful parts of Chennai and the film shows slums and the life of a common man rather than a superficial hero for once. Editing by Richard Kevin is slick and smooth. Art direction is good. Fights are fantastic and excellently choreographed. Pushkar and Gayatri got the best out of their technical team and Vikram Vedha is an excellent film from start to finish technical wise. Production Values by Y NOT Studios are grand and superb.

Positives:

+ Everything

Negatives:

- None

Analysis and Verdict: There's honestly not much to write. Vikram Vedha is incredible from start to finish. The film starts off in a fun way and Vikram's ability to recreate crime scenes and apprehend criminals without technology speaks volumes of his characterization.

The characters talk about Vedha so much that you impatiently wait for his entrance. And boy does Vedha make a goosebump worthy entrance. After Vedha enters and starts telling his flashbacks, the films never slows down and keeps going.

While the story may seem routine at times and is a bit predictable, Vikram Vedha is a must watch. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi breath life into their characters and carry the film from start to finish. In the end, I can guarantee that you will end up liking Vedha more than Vedha. And that is because of the man playing him. Vijay Sethupathi is just too good as Vedha.

Overall, Vikram Vedha is a masterpiece by Pushkar and Gayatri. A film that is truly competent in every respective department and is easily the best Tamil film to come out in a long, long time. A must watch.