Madharaasi Movie Review
“MASS” is the word. From the first frame, AR Murugadoss stages #Madharaasi like a precision-tooled crowd-pleaser and Siva Karthikeyan (as Raghu) bites into a darker, grittier persona we don’t usually see from him. By the time that interval explodes, you feel the theatre shake—no exaggeration, the interval block is what fans are raving about.
What works (and how it hits)
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Sivakarthikeyan’s transformation: This is SK out of his comfort zone—less wink, more wound. Early audience chatter calls it a “standout” turn, and several round-ups underline how convincingly he shoulders the heavier, psychological beats.
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Murugadoss’ comeback energy: The staging, the layering of plot threads, and that “verithanam” interval stretch have fans screaming “ARM is back!” If you’ve missed the tight, propulsive vibe of Ghajini/Kaththi-era ARM, you’ll feel flashes of that muscle again.
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Anirudh’s BGM = fire: The score does a lot of heavy lifting—those action cues thump, the build-ups land, and the payoff is pure theatre. Multiple early reactions single out the music as a key “mass” amplifier.
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Rukmini Vasanth + ensemble: Rukmini is repeatedly praised for bringing warmth and presence, while the supporting lineup (Vidyut Jammwal, Biju Menon, Vikranth, Shabeer) gives the film its brawn.
The story & tone
On paper, it’s a psychological action-thriller: an ordinary man with a violent past is pulled into a syndicate war—with a national-security edge. Some outlets mention an NIA angle and a “gun culture” plot, which Murugadoss uses to lace the set-pieces with urgency. It’s familiar ARM terrain—big ideas, bigger stakes—delivered with commercial swagger.
Where it stumbles
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Predictability patches: Even the positive X reviews admit a few turns are “engaging but predictable.” If you’ve seen enough mass thrillers, some reveals won’t shock you.
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Romance drag: Several viewers felt the love portions slow momentum—more speed breaker than breather.
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Overall cohesion: A Telugu-site review calls it “works only in bits and pieces,” hinting that the highs are very high, but the in-betweens can wobble.
Craft & scale
This is a big canvas movie—reported at 2h 50m—designed for claps, whistles, and tidal-wave BGM drops. Anirudh’s cues slam; the stunt choreography is muscular without losing clarity; and Murugadoss blends psychological beats with set-piece showmanship that plays to the gallery.
Performances snapshot
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Sivakarthikeyan (Raghu): Career-pivot energy; intensity over charm, and it works.
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Rukmini Vasanth: Wins steady praise; adds emotional texture.
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Vidyut Jammwal / Biju Menon / Vikranth / Shabeer: Credible menace and muscle; they keep the stakes alive.
Verdict (FDFS mood)
“Madharaasi” is a theatre experience—a thundering interval, punch-liney payoffs, and a lead star reinventing himself under a director swinging for a comeback. Is it perfect? No. Is it entertaining and designed to be felt with a crowd? Absolutely. If you’re in for high-octane ARM beats and SK in a fierce new avatar, book it. Released September 5, 2025 across languages; early social chatter ranges from “engaging, mostly entertaining” to “ARM is SO back.”