Movie Review: Vaa Vaathiyiyaar (2026)

Director Nalan Kumarasamy, who once redefined Tamil cinema with the inventive Soodhu Kavvum and the tender Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, returns with Vaa Vaathiyiyaar. Unfortunately, this film turns out to be a significant disappointment when compared to the high standards set by his earlier works.

Concept & Genre

Vaa Vaathiyiyaar positions itself as an action-fantasy vigilante film, attempting to blend social justice themes with a superhero-like narrative. On paper, the idea sounds intriguing—a mass hero with mythic undertones stepping in as a savior figure. However, the film struggles right from its foundation. The core concept is neither clearly established nor emotionally grounded, making it difficult for the audience to connect with what the film is trying to convey.

Narration & Screenplay

The biggest drawback of the film lies in its weak narration and disjointed screenplay. Scenes feel loosely stitched together, lacking a natural flow or logical progression. Instead of building tension or excitement, the film keeps shifting tones without purpose. As a result, the narrative never gains momentum, and the emotional engagement remains superficial throughout.

The vigilante fantasy angle, which could have been the film’s biggest strength, ends up feeling underdeveloped. The film neither fully embraces fantasy nor convincingly anchors itself in realism, leaving viewers confused about its narrative identity.

Performances

Karthi delivers a sincere performance and does what he can within the limits of the script. His screen presence is solid, and his MGR-inspired avatar is visually striking, evoking nostalgia and mass appeal. However, even his charisma cannot compensate for the weak writing.

Veteran actor Raj Kiran stands out with a dignified and effective performance, lending some emotional weight to the film. In contrast, antagonists played by Sathyaraj and Nizhalgal Ravi suffer from poor characterization. Their roles lack depth and menace, reducing them to forgettable villains despite the actors’ proven capabilities.

The female lead, portrayed by Kirti Shetty, feels completely unnecessary to the story. Her character has little impact on the narrative and appears to exist only to fulfill a conventional template, adding no emotional or thematic value.

Technical Aspects

While the film has moments of visual style and ambition, the lack of narrative clarity overshadows any technical strengths. The action sequences and fantasy elements fail to leave a lasting impression due to inconsistent staging and an absence of dramatic buildup.

Final Verdict

Vaa Vaathiyiyaar is a film with an interesting idea but flawed execution. What could have been a compelling vigilante fantasy ends up as a messy, uneven experience due to weak storytelling, unclear themes, and a lack of emotional grip. Despite decent performances from Karthi and Raj Kiran, the film fails to engage or inspire.

For a director known for sharp writing and innovative narratives, Vaa Vaathiyiyaar feels like a missed opportunity—one that never fully understands its own potential.