Anniyan

Anniyan is an Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film released in 2005, helmed by renowned director S. Shankar. The film stars Vikram, Sada, and Prakash Raj in lead roles while Vivek, Nedumudi Venu, and Nassar feature in supporting roles. The movie, produced by V.Ravichandran, set new standards for Indian cinematography with its extravagant visuals and excellent narrative storytelling.

The film’s title translates to ‘Outsider’ or ‘Stranger,' which plays a pivotal role in the intricacy of the plot. Renowned actor Vikram delivers a powerful performance, portraying three characters in a single film—a novel concept, even in the well-established Indian cinema. His characters have varied personalities—Ambi, the meek lawyer, Remo, the romantic hero, and Anniyan, the grim reaper-styled vigilante. His performance offers the audience a distinct taste of his acting prowess, while presenting three versatile characters with depth and nuance.

Sada, the female lead, shines with her graceful performance, playing Nandini, Ambi’s love interest. She delivers her role earnestly, displaying vibrant emotions. Prakash Raj, who is known for his exceptional acting skills, plays an intelligent police officer and adds substantial weight to the film's plot. The noteworthy performances by other cast members like Vivek, Nedumudi Venu, and Nassar, further add dynamism to the film.

Anniyan follows the life journey of Ramanujam Iyengar alias Ambi, a straight-laced lawyer. Grappling with the rampant social indiscipline and corruption that he witnesses on a daily basis, Ambi tries his best to maintain his principles while struggling to make others adhere to the law. The complexities of his personality play out in a myriad of ways, eventually leading to perplexing psychological developments that bring forward the other side of his character.

The film does an exceptional job of exploring multiple themes such as law, justice, discipline, multiple personality disorder, and societal norms, maintaining a balance without prioritizing one over the other. It also hints at Hindu mythology and the concept of divine justice, giving an intriguing dimension to the depiction of justice and its delivery system.

The magic of Anniyan not only lies in its gripping plot and stellar performances but also in its technical brilliance. The film’s cinematography by Ravi Varman is visually compelling, with vibrant colors, architectural grandeur, and skillful camerawork combining to create an aesthetic spectacle. The special effects and CGI work in the film were ahead of their time in Indian cinema.

Another highlight of Anniyan is the music by maestro A.R. Rahman. His compositions for the film beautifully complement the narrative flow and provide added depth to the emotions expressed by the characters. The songs excel in diversity and offer a mix of both classical and modern elements. They achieved tremendous success upon release and continued to be loved by audiences even after years of the film's release.

Director S. Shankar's vision executed flawlessly with the script and screenplay helps the audience transcend boundaries and get completely involved in the world of Anniyan. The film moves at a brisk pace, with each frame meticulously designed and each sequence rich in meaning and visual appeal.

Anniyan was a critical and commercial success upon release. The movie is not just a psychological thriller but an expression of contemporary societal issues depicted through compelling storytelling and technical brilliance. This film is a must-watch for those seeking cinema that challenges the status quo and looks at prevalent issues from a different perspective.