Vanangaan (2025) – Vanangaan is a forgettable entry in Bala’s filmography. Watch it only for Arun Vijay’s performance, but don’t expect the hard-hitting storytelling Bala is known for.
Directed by: Bala, Pakkiyaraj Kothai, Lakshana Manimoly
Starring: Arun Vijay, Roshini Prakash, Samuthirakani
Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Language: Tamil
Synopsis:
Vanangaan follows the story of Kotti, a deaf and mute man who works odd jobs at an orphanage and is fiercely protective of his sister, Devi. Kotti’s sense of justice comes to the forefront when he confronts three men harassing visually challenged girls at the orphanage. However, his relentless pursuit of justice comes at a cost, straining his relationship with his sister and putting his life at risk as law enforcement closes in.
Performances:
Arun Vijay:
Arun Vijay stands out as Kotti, delivering a nuanced and heartfelt portrayal of a disabled man grappling with societal injustices. His performance is one of the few saving graces of the film, capturing both vulnerability and intensity.Roshini Prakash:
As Devi, Roshini Prakash delivers an emotionally charged performance. While her role could have been fleshed out more, she brings depth to her character’s protective and conflicted nature.Samuthirakani:
Samuthirakani, a regular in Bala’s films, plays his part decently but doesn’t bring anything particularly memorable to the table this time.Mysskin (Cameo):
Mysskin’s brief appearance adds a touch of intrigue, but it’s not enough to elevate the film.
Direction (Bala):
Bala, known for his rustic and emotionally hard-hitting films, seems to have lost his way with Vanangaan. While his signature style of social commentary and raw storytelling is present, it feels forced and hollow in this film. The movie lacks a clear purpose, making it hard to discern what Bala wanted to achieve with this story.
- Religious Sarcasm:
Bala’s tendency to inject religious symbolism and sarcasm is evident here, but it feels unnecessary and out of place in this particular narrative.
Technical Aspects:
Music & Background Score:
GV Prakash’s songs are ok-ish but feel misplaced within the film’s context. Sam CS’s background score is decent and elevates a few scenes, but overall, the music does little to salvage the movie.Visuals:
Visually, the film holds up well, with Bala’s team managing to create a gritty and realistic setting. However, the cinematography doesn’t compensate for the film’s weak storytelling.
Strengths:
✔ Arun Vijay’s powerful and dedicated performance
✔ Roshini Prakash’s emotional portrayal of Devi
✔ Decent visuals that suit Bala’s style
Weaknesses:
❌ Predictable Story: The narrative is overly familiar and far removed from reality, offering little in terms of fresh storytelling.
❌ Slow Pacing: The sluggish first half leaves viewers clueless about where the story is headed, which may deter many.
❌ Unnecessary Subplots: Bala opens up various subplots but fails to explore or resolve them adequately.
❌ Inconsistent Tone: The film’s tone wavers between drama and thriller but never fully settles, leading to a jarring viewing experience.
❌ Music Integration: While GV Prakash’s songs are melodious, they feel out of sync with the film’s gritty narrative.
My Personal Take On Cinema:
Vanangaan is a mixed bag that fails to deliver on its potential. Arun Vijay’s performance is the film’s strongest asset, but even that is not enough to save it from poor pacing, predictability, and muddled direction. Bala, once a master of raw and emotionally charged cinema, seems to have lost his touch here.
While his past films set the bar high for realistic storytelling, Vanangaan feels like a watered-down version of his previous works, making it a disappointing watch for fans of his style. Bala’s brilliance is evident in flashes, but the film as a whole falls flat.
Final Rating:
1.75/5
Comments
Post a Comment