Maamannan (2023) User Reviews

Very Average

[chiraggrover · 6/10 · 27 July 2023]

The Movie starts on an engaging first half but falls fully flat in the second half. Honestly, the last half an hour of the movie was so slow and UNBEARABLE!

Performance: Fahadh Faasil was brilliant as always, he is a shapeshifter who aces literally every role he plays. He incredibly played the evil role he was offered. Vadivel was good too, the rest others were average.

Plot and screenplay: The start of the film was very engaging and the plot was being built up pretty well, especially the flashback part.

The director was able to hold the movie in place till the interval.

The second half was incredibly boring and unbearable, it was such a task to control my urge to take out my phone and scroll through Instagram! But I somehow managed to complete the movie with an utter nonsense 2nd half.

I regret not taking my phone out and spending my time watching a few reels. It did not feel that the same director had directed the 2nd half. I was so done after it.

Conclusion and Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-6/10

I'm rating it a 6 only for its first half as it was a good watch with an engaging screenplay and the performance of FAFA and Vadivelu.

The second half was absolute garbage.

The journey of Mannu (dirt) to becoming Maamannan (the great king)!

[navenkumarselva · 7/10 · 30 June 2023]

If I were to tell you about Maamannan in one line, it would be, "What an elder sees sitting; the young can't see standing", the lines of popular French novelist Gustave Flaubert.

Right from the start, we hear the echoes of Vadivelu and the tone is set. With Mari Selvaraj, you know you're in for a minimalistic yet gripping realism which may "haunt" you for a long time. The sad reality of the downtrodden living in the Indian villages of the near past is shown not in a hard-hitting, but rather in a poetic and toned-down manner which increases the impact on the audience.

Cutting to the contemporary period, Vadivelu (Maamannan) is an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) in a reserved constituency (reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu). However, Fahad Fassil (Rathnavel) from the dominant community, whose father was the MLA when Maamannan's community was discriminated against, still believes that it is due to the dominant community and his support that Maamannan is the MLA.

While Maamannan treats everyone as an equal and tells everyone to "sit" while talking to him, in front of his "master", Rathnavel, so to speak, he hesitates to sit even when Udhayanidhi (Athiveeran) urges him to sit while confronting Rathnavel, the makes up for one of the best pre-interval sequences I've seen in a long time, this one scene is worth all your penny.

A grounded Athiveeran throughout the film suddenly rages out when injustice is done to his father (although given a seemingly equal treatment by Rathnavel), only because of the caste he belonged to. Udhay was stellar in that sequence, you really feel his anger and it is absolutely justified even if a house had burnt down for that (just an analogy).

A gripping and exhilarating first half slows down after the third act when an election comes into the picture as the audience can easily predict the film's ending. The other drawback for me was that the character Rathnavel played by Fahad Fassil did not have much of a grey shade. He is pretty much an outright villain in the film. I would have loved to see more of his personal relationship as she was also involved in the election and played an important role in curtailing Rathnavel's "rage to kill" in the pre-interval scene. These aspects would probably have made Maamannan one of the greatest in Tamil cinema, it just fell short of it.

Mari Selvaraj is a master when it comes to using animals as metaphors. In this, pigs were used to resemble the downtrodden, as pigs are generally considered the lowest in the animal kingdom due to their habit of rumbling dirt and mud, just like how Maamannan was called Mannu (dirt), Athiveeran loves the pigs as rears them, sets them free and loves them as his own. There is also a scene where he draws a painting of a pig with wings citing that it was his first dream when he was a child, denoting that this pig (Athiveeran) is not a pig sitting in the dirt, but is already flying high above. There is another scene involving dogs where Rathnavel intimidates the other dogs with his gun by killing a few, but the other dogs still run past without fear, denoting that the oppressor is no longer feared nor has power.

AR Rahman has delivered a wild album and all the songs gel well within the context of the film. I loved Raasa Kannu and Vadivelu's voice still stays as the impact of his character is enormous. A perfect album is truly an understatement.

The ending was satisfying, as everyone sits down after Mammannan does. This movie definitely teaches us something, when to sit, where to sit, when to stand and how to stand.

A Must-Watch Masterpiece That Transcends Predictability

[mahthyroshen · 8/10 · 1 July 2023]

The film, directed by a visionary with an impressive track record and featuring a stellar cast, generated enormous anticipation, and it certainly did not disappoint. While the story may have had some predictable elements, it was the director's skill in crafting an exceptional screenplay that truly stood out. The emotional scenes were breathtaking, evoking a profound sense of connection with the characters.

Vadivelu's performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Fahad Fazil, Udayanithi, and Keerthi Suresh also delivered outstanding performances, adding depth and authenticity to their respective roles. The chemistry among the cast was palpable, enhancing the overall impact of the film.

A. R. Rahman's musical genius shone through once again, with his marvelous compositions and captivating background scores perfectly complementing the narrative. The soundtrack was a true auditory delight, enhancing the viewing experience to another level.

Contrary to preconceived notions, this film is not just another tale of caste-related issues. It presents a unique perspective on how society can be misled by powerful individuals. However, it is worth noting that certain scenes might be distressing for younger audiences, so parental guidance is advised.

Although the predictability of the story prevents me from giving it a perfect rating, the film's overall excellence far outweighs this minor flaw. "Title of the Film" is an absolute masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on its viewers. It is a must-watch for cinephiles and anyone seeking an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Not a great story but thanks to FaFA and Vadivelu

[appusnikhil · 6/10 · 27 July 2023]

These days it's becoming easy to guess a Tamil movie's plot and you can easily guess the central theme of this movie. At times the movie gets slow-paced and I fast-forwarded many portions.

Fahad Fazil is cracking all the roles he is getting and he was the main highlight of this movie. He played the antagonist role nicely. Moreover, it's time to recognize the talent of Vadivelu. He has been typecast for a long time and it's time to give him some serious roles, just like Mollywood did for Suraj Venjaramood. Mari Selvaraj proves that he can do movies like Maamannan and I hope we will get more cool movies from him in the future.

Watchable flick

[vibhus-17780 · 7/10 · 29 June 2023]

Maamannan started off with commendable first half followed by average second half . Plot and its depth in first half with character establishment was on the spot , especially interval block was total banger and literal high point of the whole movie . Second half mostly lacked in depth & high point and literally failed to create impact as first half did . In fact if we saw previous works of Mari Selvaraj climax portion or post climax create great impact upon audience , but here he missed that trick . Vadivelu just nailed it in his performance , real comeback of this man but totally in different Avatar . Fahad Faasil as antagonist was different vibe , even though if he plays simple villain role he somehow maintain the tension around his character . Udhay and Keerthi did their job well . Asusual Mari Selvaraj as director did great in his crafting , on other side well supported by Theni Eswar's camera work . AR Rahman once again delivered mind blowing background scores and songs .

Overall , despite some flaws and let down in second half its totally worth and watchable flick . Keep your expectations down .

Maamannan - A Strong Social Message

[bargavigovindan · 9/10 · 2 July 2023]

Maamannan is 2023 release Tamil movie with established actors, director and music composer.

The castings, music, storyline all very good. Watch the movie as it is without mixing it with political opinions. The way the animals portraying the social status also very apt. Some scenes are really mentally disturbing. It proves the director did his job competently. Each actors done their characters very well. Certain actors didn't have much screen presence nor dialogues but they contribute their part well even some solely with eye contact. As a whole, it's a very good movie from the whole team. Hope people enjoy the movie and understand the social message.

Predominance of lagging

[arshitharshi · 6/10 · 30 June 2023]

Mariselvaraj is well known for his social discrimination aspects in his films and he did justice to that in his previous movies, he did the same in Maamannan but the film was not up to the mark. It predominantly deals with the caste discrimination and the Contemporary untouchability. But the film also had too many lag. Fahad faasil and Vadivelu had stolen the show. Can see a truly Class performance from our humour legend Vadivelu. Udhay and Keerthi were overshadowed by the performance of FaFa and Vadivelu. The last 15mins of first half was truly a Midas touch of mariselvaraj. The second half had the predominant lag part in the film. But that doesn't mean that it hadn't conveyed the message that the director intended to. As usual we can't pass away without talking about mariselvaraj's animal metaphor, Truly mesmerizing. The climax has the core of the film.

So overall The lagging part had stopped me from giving 4 stars.

Hits Different for Different people

[arstephenvasanth · 8/10 · 1 July 2023]

This political drama has a gripping first half, where the director effectively conveys his pain through certain scenes. While some scenes successfully deliver the intended message, many others fall short. The movie is a mix of raw and commercial elements, which I found somewhat unsettling. It didn't evoke strong emotions in me, such as making me cry or burst into laughter, or fueling a sense of vengeance against the villain. It is common to compare older movies with current ones, and in the case of "Karnan," there were moments that evoked rage, especially the police station scene. However, in this movie, I felt a lack of connection. It was meant to be a potential cult classic, but with a few issues, it might lose its place in that esteemed position. It's not the worst movie, but it falls short of achieving cult classic status from my perspective as a movie viewer. The director had already set a high benchmark, which this movie failed to meet.

On the other hand, the movie has received numerous positive aspects, ranging from the performances of Vadivelu, Fafa, and Keerthi, who all deliver their career-best performances. The landscape shots are beautifully showcased, capturing scenic locations like Yercaud, hilltops, and night shots. The camera work is impressive, and as expected, the music by ARR (A. R. Rahman) demonstrates his exceptional quality. The layered editing is also a significant plus point. With a more gripping and grounded second half, this movie could have reached greater heights. The interval and climax sequences have their own peak moments, showcasing the director's bold attempt. It's a remarkable film to conclude Udhay's career.

Ok Movie. but did we need Udayanidhi ??

[forumz · 7/10 · 1 August 2023]

The movie seems to be okay.. Vadivelu and Fahadh Fasil sealed it with awesome amazing performances. Vadivelu surprised me as well other audience, with his stellar perfromance. Didnt know he had this much in him. Fahad did good justice to the role that was given to him, and never disappointed anyone.

I wish to ask a question.. Can't Udayanidhi Stalin pause his acting stint, until he learns to do os ?? Completely blank expressions, be it in sad scenes or the happier ones. The plot was was very weak; first half was good, but the overall plot wasnt good enough, and the movie would have tanked in the absence of stellar roles from FaFa & Vadivelu Sir.

highly rated very average movie!

[ravikumarchandran · 4/10 · 30 July 2023]

What struck me in the movie is, every one is irritated all the time in the movie! Has so many template scenes on cast and lot of subtle hero worship scenes!

One of the big scenes in the first half of the movie is when the villain sends dogs to hunt the pigs the hero is growing. When all the pigs die, the director is trying to evoke the sympathy. But if you think about it, why the hero is growing the pigs? Not to nourish them or keep them as pets. Only to grow them and kill them for meat! So, what is the big deal?

The movie sounds so fake in so many areas! The stellar performance of Fagat Fazil or Vadivelu does little to lift the movie. Projecting the movie as Vadivelu's comeback movie helped the movie gets a huge box office returns.

The only funny thing is, the hero Udayanidhi is from DMK and the chain of events depicted in the movie are almost all against DMK. It was really stupid of Udayanidhi to not only act in the movie but also fund it!

Fafa & Vadivelu 💪🔥

[raj5251 · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

"Maamanan" is a Tamil film that showcases Vadivelu's versatility as an actor, effortlessly pulling off a serious role. His portrayal adds depth and complexity to the character, demonstrating his range beyond his comedic prowess. Udayanidhi, in the role of the MLA's son, delivers an adequate performance, complementing the overall narrative.

However, it is Fafa who steals the show with his portrayal of the antagonist. He embodies the role of the conniving and manipulative late politician, effectively portraying the menace and ruthlessness required for the character. Fafa's performance is captivating, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The film's plot revolves around an MLA and his son, who belong to an oppressed community, and their struggle to protect their community from the political influence of the late politician. The story tackles relevant societal issues and emphasizes the importance of standing up against oppression.

While Vadivelu shines in his serious role, providing a refreshing change from his usual comedic roles, it is Fafa who truly captivates the audience with his performance. His portrayal of the antagonist adds intensity and intrigue to the narrative.

The direction of the film effectively brings out the emotional core of the story, with impactful scenes and well-crafted dialogues. The pacing keeps the viewers engaged, and the film maintains a consistent tone throughout.

"Maamanan" is a worthwhile watch for fans of Vadivelu and those interested in socially conscious cinema. While Udayanidhi's performance is decent, it is Vadivelu's ability to excel in a serious role and Fafa's compelling portrayal of the antagonist that make the film memorable.

Mahanadigan

[natureboy-84907 · 7/10 · 29 June 2023]

MAAMANNAN , one of its kind and all credits goes to the most adorable actor "Kalaimamani Kumaravadivel Natarajan" aka "Vadivelu", if not for him this is a movie to be dumped. Mariselvaraj like that of Pa Ranjith has that fascination for triggering so much disturbances in people's mind in the name of Caste . Agree to the fact , that caste based issues are still there in rural areas but need not be told in every movie, for it's not going to solve the issue but only to trigger more . I should say that initial scenes of this movie has lot of disturbing visuals, hate Mari for this and sorry those cannot be considered realistic, it's rather Brutal, But there comes a huge saviour by the name Vadivelu, who gets the character deep to his skin and ensures every frame he pops up it becomes a goosebump moment for us. It has taken him 31 years to deliver such a brilliant role after being Isakki in Devar Magan , it just tells us that he's been under-utilised for 3 decades and more . I could see him in par with top actors these days when it comes to acting. And there's Fahad who is a very very natural actor doing his role so very competitively, a true treasure for the Indian Movies . For a change , the usual emotions of Udhayanthi Stalin best suited for this character and felt he's bettering off these days . Keerthi Suresh is fine for the role and there are many more including Lal filling up frames . BGM by ARR is not upto his usual standards , while there are places where it elevates the movie experience, there were quite a lot of other scenes where it could have been lot better . Nenjamae Nenjamae by Shaktisree Gopalan is just WoW😍. Couple of other songs are good and few didn't get in sync with visuals . Stunts are fine but again too much heart wrenching visuals . We sat the entire movie just for Vadivelu hence we couldn't ignore the movie . Interval block not to be missed. Enjoyed few of the dialogues. Mariselvaraj sir , try not to Cast Caste as part of your movies. Sure this movie could have been beautiful without CAST(E)ing it, still a must watch for the Wonder-Cast Vadivelu. Not a kids friendly movie . Overall MAAMANNAN, MAHANADIGAN !

OVERDRAMATIZED 😑

[dnpraja · 5/10 · 29 June 2023]

What worked for Pariyerum Perumaal & Karnan was it was more grounded in reality. It was relatable, I was able to sympathize with the director's view. It felt like some dialogues were intentionally planted for Udhayanidhi's gain. The film felt too dramatic & lost the touch of reality. Casting Fahadh only added more to it. He did deliver what he was paid for, but I just couldn't see him as his given role. At times, the pacing feels slightly uneven, with certain scenes dragging on longer than necessary. Also Keerthy suresh was not justified. Felt like she was there just for the sake of having a female lead.

Good but....

[sathyaaero · 6/10 · 29 June 2023]

Due to the influence of Mariselvaraj's previous works, the film has created a lot of anticipation. If you ask me, does this film gave the impact of what his previous film did?, I would say no.

As a complete political film, this film stands out of its own.

The director has a clear vision on the politics.

Although this film doesn't deals anything new but gave the eloborate vision on the caste based politics.

Belonging to a scheduled caste (respective of this film's story), an MLA is being rejected to get the respect as a senior politician by his party's union leader and other party officials.

Disturbed by their by the party's action personally and how his father is being treated by the leader of the party though he was a senior politician, conflict rises between the MLA's son and the party's union head.

However the flashbacks are important to the story, it lags the movie. It's the core for the film but it doesn't feel attached to the viewer.

The screenplay was loosely structured as it makes the film boring at some part.

The characters were developed good.

Though the screenplay was ineffective, All the characters were given equal space as that helps the viewers stick into the story.

Really need to mention that, Fahad Fazil (who performed as a politician) completely stands out of all artists by his extraordinary performance. Though we all know about how excellent he is at acting, in this film he gave his unique acting performance which we can't see in his previous films.

Even though it was a dull paced film, he was the one who carried the film single-handedly till the end.

Keerthy suresh's performance showed his excellence.

Vadivelu, a well known face across India who's known mainly for his versatile acting comedy roles, performed a serious role in this film.

I would say it worked 50-50.

Not only me but some audience in theaters found it difficult to accept him in a serious role. May be it would be the settle performance he gave for his character.

I think it's because we are used to see him do a lot of flexible and physical involvement in body language and variety of face expressions.

A. R. Rahman's Background score wasn't that much impressive. In few scenes it worked and in few it doesn't. Songs were quite good.

Other technical works weren't like mentionable.

Personally I liked director Mari Selvaraj's handling of cinema language. Throughout the film he made it compelling.

Especially in scene1, he used it to establish hero and villan in means of juxtaposition of dogs with pigs.

He openly states that he uses more metaphors in his film, this film is not an exception of that.

Well... Though doesn't fullfilled the expectations, some positive things made this as a good film.

Mari failed with big cast and deviated to masala more

[m-ramanan · 6/10 · 3 July 2023]

RATED 6/10 Language: Tamil Media Partner: Netflix Source: Nil

Same as Mari's earlier venture, this also has impactful scenes and powerful characters. The problem is they are very few and too much of masala for Mar's standard.

This is tailor made story for Udhayanidhi and Mari did lot of compromise for this purpose. The first half scenes are very impactful, at the same time they are very lengthy. Over this, they added slow motion sequences.

Another let down is the antagonist characterisation. Fahad looks like 80s villain and all his sequences are highly predictable.

Last but not least: Thevar magan Esakki character is much more genuine than this Maamannan.

Mari Selvraj's third movie ranks third in his offerings so far

[rajesh-puvvada · 8/10 · 1 July 2023]

Maamanan A review by Rajesh Puvvada

Mari Selvraj once again paints caste based strokes on a culturally stigmatic canvas!! After pariyerumal and Karnan, he used the same starting ritual, which is to have a hound killed or slaughtered!! This time it got a little predictable.

Casting Vadivelu as the protagonist in a realistic appearance gives great strength to this movie. After a long hiatus, we could witness a larger screen presence of this seasoned actor. I enjoyed every bit of his performance largely. The maturity in which he handles his character tells us how strongly he lived into it.

At the very beginning of the movie when the titles were coming up there was a huge applause when the name of Fahad Fazil came up. He definitely raised the bar of his own best performance. Every move if his was unique and natural.

I am not going to mention any one from the caste because their roles or performances were not pivotal or palpable.

Years of stigma around the lower and higher castes dominate our rich social fabric and that is well brought out in this movie. Honestly, the true value of this movie was delivered right at the time of intermission. What ever came out from Mark Selvraj after the interval had lesser value plot wise. The plot got diluted into a political portion that stinks. However the end state was very well handled. Many directors these days suffer to handle the crispness of a fine plot for a longer duration. Presenting something solid for a longer duration requires great degree of detail and an emotional grip. The way Mari Selavaraj held our emotions firm around Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan is felt well because he did not hold it well in this movie. Especially in the second half.

Red giant wanted a platform to put its political agenda forward and the second half was a gift to red giant by Mari Selvraj.

A R Rehamans score jelled well with the movie but I think, no tune or a BGM or a song is playing repeatedly in my head after watching the movie. Which means the musical manifest of this movie evaporated very quickly.

Given the movie did not employ any illogical parts this movie holds water on a thin paper cup. Without the protagonist and the antagonist performances the movie would have lost its worth.

I recommend a one time viewing with family. And, I am going with a 7.5/10. You can also wait for it to come on OTT.

More of pigs, piglets and dogs but in a political setting.

[chand-suhas · 6/10 · 30 June 2023]

Mari Selvaraj's new entry to his cinematic universe, led by Vadivelu playing the titular character, deviates a bit from his earlier films. This time it is centered around contesting an election, in order to fight for one's right to be treated as equals. MLA Maamannan (Vadivelu) is not in talking terms with his son Adhiveeran (Udhayanidhi Stalin), who loves raising pigs. On the other hand, Rathnavelu (Fahadh Faasil) is the district secretary of the same party, Maamannan is elected as an MLA. His brother attacks the coaching center run by Leela (Keerthy Suresh) which prompts Adhiveeran to retaliate. The casteist, power hungry Rathnavelu declares war against the father-son duo, who are not the ones to bow down. They bring in the fight through the elections and the film showcases this battle.

This outing of Mari Selvaraj, has his usual trademark symbolism via pigs and dogs. Unlike his other two films, this one resorts to a more straight forward story with one Dimension villain, humiliating the lower caste people just to oppress them to stay in power. The entire first half tried to establish the three main characters, inserting a flashback to explain why the father - son duo have built a wall between them and how cruel the antagonist is. With a superb action packed interval, Mari Selvaraj sets up the battlefield for the trio.

It is the second half that mellows down focusing on the election entirely. The action scenes too feels forced, which again would have been acceptable in any commercial film but not in a Mari Selvaraj film where you are expecting more about the characters to be explored. It still has a couple of stand out scenes but I couldn't stop myself from expecting more. It is here the powerful performance by Vadivelu comes to rescue.

As far as the performances go, Vadivelu puts up a terrific show. Fahadh Faasil though one dimensional character, brings his best. Udhayanidhi Stalin too is sincere though it's too much for him to carry a scene on his own. Keerthy Suresh is first rate in the limited appeal her character had. Maamannan is more of a commercial outing from Mari Selvaraj. With a really good first half and a passable second half, this is still a worthy watch.

Fafa is back, exceptional first half

[cinish · 9/10 · 2 July 2023]

Mari Selvaraj is refining his stance on caste politics through his movies. Karnan and Maamannan did not come close to Pariyerum Perumal in regards to the number of days the movie stayed with me after the watch. However, from a scale perspective, the later movies are much bigger and impressive from a grandeur standpoint.

Fahad Fazil is back! Very much a director's actor, Mari has utilized the actor very well for a very convincing portrayal of the upper caste protagonist.

A R Rahman did great work in the movie. Unlike Malaykunju where Rahman's symphonies were not aligning with the rustic backdrop, Rahman has been able to align his work with the movie very well on this one. Some of the songs are very touching. Background music is the king in many scenes.

Great dialogue less aura from Udhayanidhi Stalin, seasoned performance from Vadivelu.

First half script and delivery was top notch. Lot of action (and violence) with matching background scores bring out the stance/spirit/emotion that the movie is taking.

Feels like Mari is deeply bothered by the caste based injustices, and is trying to discover and present his perspectives through his movies.

Unrealistic hate!!!

[sriramthestranger · 7/10 · 28 July 2023]

The movie starts with a plot where everything looks great and intermittent social messages - only to emphasize the conflicting morals of the lead characters. There are some sub plots which were unused and added no value to the story - like the foster father. This is undoubtedly the best work of Udhayanidhi Stalin co-starting with the legend Vadivelu.

What did not work with the narrative is the extreme polarisation of the characters - only for us to sympathize with the protagonist. It looks far fetched and a bit unrealistic.

The political drama could be made interesting with an equally mature antagonist played by Alagam Perumal for a short duration. But it was made like love vs pure hate kind of movie!!

I was expecting reality flick

[balaji-pandiyan-k · 1/10 · 4 July 2023]

Over drama, missing mari selvaraj reality type movies like pariyerum perusal, this movie is too much music making it uncomfortable to watch, the movie has a great casting, vadivelu the legend and Farhad fassil, but it looks like a waste of talent, too many songs in too many places. We need reality movies like pariyerum perumal with less drama less fight and less background music unless this movie unwanted background music, even though I'm a arr fan but this movie we just couldn't connect with people, in previous movies PP and karnan people were able to connect but this movie people mot able to connect with them..

Hope mari selvaraj change his style and stick to reality then he will be able to sustain.

What An Attempt! Masterpiece!!

[renoevolve · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

Ofcourse, in the time of today we get to see a lot of great films and this film joins the list of Masterpieces definitely. Director Mari Selvaraj has crafted a poetic pattern of story telling which is very unique in its own way. Vadivelu steals the show and people's hearts. What a performance!! I sincerely wish he gets a National award for this Movie. Farhad just lives the character! Udayanidhi with this movie will impact people's memory in a good way. A great son to be remembered..loved his role and the way he tried to carry himself amidst all these big actors is very very commendable. Keerthy too does complete justice to the role given. The scene where vadivelu breaks down on a cliff all alone melts your heart and he outperforms everyone there..spot on!! Beware Vadivelu is no more a comedian!! Overall the thing that I hated in this movie experience was that 10 mins interval break, honestly, can't wait for the movie to start...Mari Selvaraj , Hatrick but this time the ball goes out of the stadium..For people who say it's slow, I guess that's what is special about this movie..Watch it!!

Maamannan: A Politically Charged Drama with Standout Performances and Contemplative Themes

[rim_0717 · 6/10 · 29 July 2023]

"Maamannan" delves into a compelling narrative that intertwines political themes, much like the acclaimed films "Pariyerum Perumal" and "Karnan" by director Mari Selvaraj. The movie stands out for its bold attempt to portray actor Vadivelu in a serious role, departing from his signature comedic persona. Although it doesn't entirely meet the heightened expectations set by the previous films, it still offers a unique and engaging experience.

The film's core message resonates with the director's previous works, focusing on social issues and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. However, in "Maamannan," these themes are presented with a touch of dramatization, adding a distinct flavor to the storytelling.

One aspect that might be a drawback for some viewers is the movie's slow pace, which persists through most of the narrative. However, as the story unfolds, it gradually builds up tension and intrigue, eventually leading to a gripping climax that leaves a lasting impact.

Amidst the film's strengths, Fahadh Faasil's portrayal stands out as a highlight. His performance elevates the movie to new heights, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Overall, while "Maamannan" might not attain the same level of acclaim as "Pariyerum Perumal" and "Karnan," it still manages to be an engaging watch with its socially relevant themes, compelling storytelling, and remarkable performances, particularly Fahadh Faasil's outstanding acting. Though it may not be perfect, the film succeeds in sparking thoughtful discussions and leaves viewers with a sense of reflection and contemplation.

Utterly waste and misconception about caste system !

[plkshn · 1/10 · 4 July 2023]

This movie is tells about caste based differences among themselves some lower caste (as they claims). As usual Mari Selvaraj is trying to give wrong propaganda/thought about the caste suppress on lower caste by the upper caste group people. He should have born before 1960 and should have taken these type of movies before 1980's. Now the entire system got changed by the government and people. When the Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam film industry runs fast forward in race, Tamil film industry going in reversed mode ! Only thing to say good about is the cinematography due to the camera and editing !

Not Worth to watch it at all !

Not so exceptional story as other titles of director

[manojmanpal · 6/10 · 30 July 2023]

I had seen pariyerum perumal couple of times and karnan as well which has subtle element in conveying what is required for society and betterment without violence. But this one does not justify his previous films as this one seems to be little off the track.

There were scenes in movie which does not makes sense i.e. It has been made up for political build up looks like. Although there are some subtle elements from pigs, dogs etc but it is not like his master piece movie like pariyerum perumal. For instance seeking help from community is missing completely here.

Coming to cast favad and vaidvelu excelled there roles but others acting are not upto mark.

Nice!

[SonGoku540 · 7/10 · 10 August 2023]

Drawing on the echoes of Mariselvaraj's prior masterpieces, this film has ignited a fervent sense of anticipation. If one were to inquire whether this film imparts the same resonating impact as its predecessor, my response would lean towards negation.

As a quintessential political opus, this cinematic creation boldly asserts its individuality.

The director's perspicuous vision into the realm of politics remains unclouded.

While this offering does not tread novel territory, it does, however, unveil an intricate panorama of caste-centric politics.

Within the context of this film's narrative, centered around a character hailing from a Scheduled Caste, an MLA's aspirations for seniority and respect within his party are ruthlessly thwarted by the union leader and fellow party stalwarts.

As the MLA's son witnesses the injustice inflicted upon his father and their kin by the party leader, a personal affront transforms into a larger ideological clash, pitting the scion against the union chief.

Yet, as pivotal as the flashbacks are to the narrative, they intermittently disrupt the film's pacing, regrettably appearing detached from the viewer's immersion.

The film's screenplay, though the crux of its essence, displays a loose structure, at times yielding a rather wearisome viewing experience.

The character development, on the other hand, is commendable.

Despite the screenplay's shortcomings, the equitable distribution of focus among the characters facilitates viewer engagement.

A noteworthy mention must be accorded to Fahad Fazil, whose portrayal as a politician distinctly overshadows the ensemble cast with his exceptional rendition. While his acting prowess has been widely acknowledged, this performance stands as a unique testament, diverging from his preceding roles.

Notwithstanding the film's languid tempo, Fazil single-handedly carries the narrative to its denouement.

Keerthy Suresh's performance underscores her proficiency.

Vadivelu, a ubiquitous presence in the Indian entertainment landscape, renowned for his comedic versatility, undertakes a weighty role in this venture.

The verdict on his portrayal is somewhat divided.

Several patrons in the theater, much like myself, found the transition to a somber role a tad challenging to embrace. Perhaps the disquiet emanates from the adjustment required for his character's demeanor, given his legacy of animated body language and an array of facial expressions.

A. R. Rahman's background score, regrettably, falls short of making a lasting impression. While certain sequences find harmonious resonance, others falter. The musical numbers, conversely, elicit a favorable response.

The remaining technical components escape notable distinction.

My personal admiration rests with director Mari Selvaraj's dexterity in the cinematic language, demonstrated prominently throughout the film.

Especially noteworthy is the inaugural sequence, employing a juxtaposition of dogs and pigs to delineate the hero and antagonist.

The director openly acknowledges his penchant for metaphoric storytelling, a characteristic seamlessly woven into this offering.

In summation, while this film may not have wholly fulfilled the towering expectations, it boasts redeeming qualities that collectively elevate it to the echelons of commendable cinema.