Vattaram

Vattaram is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action crime thriller film that you'll want to add to your watchlist if you have a taste for intense narratives and dramatic showdowns. Directed and written by Saran, the movie stars the vibrant Arya as the protagonist, along with Balu Anand and Avinash, who provide commendable performances to complement and enhance the atmosphere of suspense that pervades the film. The storyline delves into the intricate world of crime and attempts to unravel how harsh realities and cruel circumstances often corner an innocent individual and compel him to surrender to the means of delinquency.

Arya, looking young and passionate, works fascinatingly well in the character of Burma. He is a local man who valiantly takes on the mantle of the formidable underworld. Balu Anand and Avinash, meanwhile, provide intense performances that make their characters memorable.

In this film, Burma is introduced as a gentle, honest, hardworking man who manages an old ammunition shop in the city. His life unravels when he unknowingly becomes a puppet in the hands of a cunning bully who uses him to carry out his malicious plans. This sudden thrust into the world of crime and brutality dramatically transforms him. The film constitutes an engaging exploration of how Burma caught in the web of harsh realities, evolves into a dreaded gangster. He is pushed into the world of crime due to circumstances beyond his control. There's a Shakespearean tragedy in his downfall, a transition from a normal man to a feared mob leader that's both horrifying and fascinating at the same time.

Vattaram reflects on the themes of betrayal, the pursuit of power and the struggle for survival in a brutal world, dealing in a grimly realistic way with the gritty underbelly of society rarely seen in mainstream cinema. Simultaneously, the movie does not fail in injecting bits of inevitable humor, romance, and sentiments that largely cater to the tasteful marks of Tamil cinema.

The cinematography by A. Venkatesh is commendable as it vividly portrays the gloomy world of gangsters while offering viewers moments of intense drama and emotion evident in the visual storytelling. Brahmma’s editing and Bharadwaj’s music forms the backbone to the visceral tapestry of Vattaram, ensuring a cinematic experience that enthralls the viewer and maintains the tension and pacing of the narrative. The movie features a good mix of melodies, theme music, and background scores, all of which lend significantly to the movie's overall appeal.

Supporting performances from other members of the cast, including Napoleon, Srinath, and Vasundhara Das, are also noteworthy. Each actor gets a fair share of screen time to portray their characters with conviction, offering a well-rounded narrative complete with a plethora of perspectives and personalities.

Providing action in plenty without compromising on an engrossing storyline, Vattaram is a robust example of a crime movie in Tamil cinema that's both entertaining and insightful. The film perfectly showcases the downsides of power and greed, marking it as a poignant commentary on society and human nature. The captivating plot, combined with fantastic performances, makes the film a compelling watch.

Director Saran weaves a mesh of intrigue, crime, and revenge in a manner that's raw and thought-provoking. Vattaram is, at its heart, a tale of transformation imbued with considerable grit, drama, and emotion making it a must-watch for fans of Tamil cinema, or for any person who has a penchant for well-crafted, crime-based narratives. It is a film that stands apart with its unique storyline, intense performances, powerful dialogues, and a narrative that keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout.

While Vattaram begins as a simple story of a young man's life turned upside-down, it quickly escalates into a tense confrontation where fortunes can shift in an instant. It's a game of survival and revenge, and it's a game you'll want to see through to the end.