Birithivy Y
Kaatru Veliyidai - 9/10. Mani Ratnam is my favourite tamil cinema director, and he is always ahead of the times in terms of his directing style and story telling. Kaatru Veliyidai is a perfect example of a love story film that tamil audiences didn't accept due to its against the grain story progression. Rather than following the traditional path of showing a couple going through trials and tribulations, Ratnam goes against type and shows the devastating progression of an emotionally abusive man towards his lover. As he spends time as a POW, he remembers this love and his horrible behaviour towards her. Rather than making the character so dashing and charismatic, Ratnam crafts Karthi into a manipulative and possessive asshole, and he plays the character brilliantly. People might have trolled his wide eyed looking scenes, but it brilliantly showed the character's animalistic behaviour and mindset in trying to have things go his way. Aditi Rao Hydari gives probably one of the best performances in Mani Ratnam's filmography. She delivers a beautiful and coldly haunting portrayal of a women in love with an emotionally absent man, and her conflicting emotions of trying to leave and stay with him is just so powerful. I'm glad Ratnam helped showcase her acting abilities in this movie, and Ravi Varman helped showcase not only her incredible beauty, but also the beauty of the locations the film was shot at. Its some of the greatest cinematography in tamil cinema history. A.R. Rahman goes into god mode every time he works with Ratnam, and this film is no exception. His soundtrack and BGMs in this movie are just so incredible and so exquisite, they really help elevate the story and vibe of the movie. He understands what Ratnam was going for, and delivers more than what was asked for. This movie is so different from the usual love stories we see and it feels more real. I personally know a lot of people who go through toxic relationships, and this movie accurately portrays those types of relationships. Its refreshing a film explores these types of relationships, especially in a tamil cinema obsessed with showing toxic relationships as one side being a psycho.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/25
Full Review
J K
Summary: I would not recommend watching this movie if your expecting amazing storyline.
The story had little to no meaning, idk if it was the acting/dialogues/story as an audience it made me feel very confused time to time what was happening and why. For e.g Why did she not leave the toxic relationship? Because of love. There could have been a deeper explanation which could of made it more interesting.
The rawness of this movie shows what relationships are and does not try to add more exaggerations. However, I feel like it left the audience with too many unanswered questions. I feel like the answers/truth could of been explored way more, but it just remained at a surface level. It was also 2017 (cant put too many expectations), these type of concepts were still in the process of developing in Indian industry.
The directing in this movie is quite exceptional, which is seen in the cinematography very much and angles used. However, the storyline really dragged this movie down and maybe where scenes needed to end. It did feel like the movie was slow. Moreover, the movie didnt make feel like i was in the 2000s, it felt too modern.
Also, I watched the songs before watching the movie, thinking this film would be how the songs are. But when i watched the movie, it felt like the movie was progressing with by the songs. If the songs were removed then this movie would lack quite alot.
The acting was quite good from the main leads. Aditi ma'am stood out quite well, her acting was good mostly. Few scenes it seemed a bit too much, i think in snow storm scene in the beginning. I felt it was a bit over exaggerated (not completely). Also, i feel she could have adopted the role of being the doctor in her character throughout the movie. For me it felt like she was a doctor in the start of the movie but that seemed to be non-existent after meeting the guy. Other than that it was excellent acting.
Karthi, his acting was okay. The thing is i didn't understand if his character was mentally unstable or was he player or was he not? Very confusing. Though he played being the crazy toxic stereotypical guy very well (i really didn't like his character in those parts which means his acting was quite good!).
On the positive side, aesthetics/visuals are quite good and few scenes go against very stereotypical society standards, which was quite foward- thinking.
If this was made now it would come out quite well. That is if they considered explaining the whys or atleast making the movie a bit more shorter - working on the timing. Also, i think from what movies i have seen in kollywood, if improved seriously it could have been near movie.
It reminds me of sita-ramam.
NOTE; i am not someone who is in the film industry, so please take my review light hearted. This review was intended to see improvements rather than to degrade the movie ;)
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
07/22/24
Full Review
Rajeev M
the worst story so far of actor Karthik, felt sleepy
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
05/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Kaatru Veliyidai - 9/10. Mani Ratnam is my favourite tamil cinema director, and he is always ahead of the times in terms of his directing style and story telling. Kaatru Veliyidai is a perfect example of a love story film that tamil audiences didn't accept due to its against the grain story progression. Rather than following the traditional path of showing a couple going through trials and tribulations, Ratnam goes against type and shows the devastating progression of an emotionally abusive man towards his lover. As he spends time as a POW, he remembers this love and his horrible behaviour towards her. Rather than making the character so dashing and charismatic, Ratnam crafts Karthi into a manipulative and possessive asshole, and he plays the character brilliantly. People might have trolled his wide eyed looking scenes, but it brilliantly showed the character's animalistic behaviour and mindset in trying to have things go his way. Aditi Rao Hydari gives probably one of the best performances in Mani Ratnam's filmography. She delivers a beautiful and coldly haunting portrayal of a women in love with an emotionally absent man, and her conflicting emotions of trying to leave and stay with him is just so powerful. I'm glad Ratnam helped showcase her acting abilities in this movie, and Ravi Varman helped showcase not only her incredible beauty, but also the beauty of the locations the film was shot at. Its some of the greatest cinematography in tamil cinema history. A.R. Rahman goes into god mode every time he works with Ratnam, and this film is no exception. His soundtrack and BGMs in this movie are just so incredible and so exquisite, they really help elevate the story and vibe of the movie. He understands what Ratnam was going for, and delivers more than what was asked for. This movie is so different from the usual love stories we see and it feels more real. I personally know a lot of people who go through toxic relationships, and this movie accurately portrays those types of relationships. Its refreshing a film explores these types of relationships, especially in a tamil cinema obsessed with showing toxic relationships as one side being a psycho.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
Full Review
Audience Member
At first watch, the movie was boring and ending was cliched. Only the spellbinding music and cinematography were captivating. But on repeat viewing, it's more rewarding than it seems.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
Audience Member
At first watch, the movie was boring and ending was cliched. Only the spellbinding music and cinematography were captivating. But on repeat viewing, it's more rewarding than it seems.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/16/23
Full Review
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