Vikram - A Movie Review

An investigation into a murder committed by a group of masked serial killers takes a surprising turn when a special agent uncovers a web of clues that leads him straight to the global drug kingpin. To stop the masked killers, a black ops team is tasked with tracking them down and eliminating them.

As the agent delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the tangled maze of clues is more intricate than he initially realized. The killers' motives and methods become more complex, and the stakes continue to rise as the investigation progresses. The involvement of the drug kingpin adds another layer of danger to the already high-risk mission, making the task of the black ops team even more critical to the success of the operation.

With so much on the line, the team must work together seamlessly to accomplish their mission and put an end to the masked killers' reign of terror. Their specialized training and expertise will be put to the ultimate test as they face off against an elusive enemy and navigate through the dangerous underworld of global drug trafficking. Will they be able to stop the killers and bring justice to the victims? Only time will tell in this action-packed thriller.

The story of Vikram picks up where Karthi's Kaithi left off. In the aftermath of several drug busts by Tamil Nadu's police, two containers full of drugs go missing in Chennai. Before the police can catch wind of it, local gangs in the city are already on the hunt to retrieve it. The mafia king, Rolex (played by Suriya), pays his gang to ensure the drugs reach him. Meanwhile, a group of masked men are on a killing spree, targeting high-ranking officers in the city, including Prapanchan (played by Kalidas Jayaram), an official from the narcotics bureau.

Kamal Haasan's character, Karnan, sets out on a mission of revenge after discovering that his son is one of the victims of the gang. This mission evolves into something greater and Karnan is later introduced as Vikram, the same character he played in the 1986 film of the same name. Police Chief Jose (played by Chemban Vinod) brings in a team of black ops officers, headed by Amar (played by Fahadh Faasil), to investigate Karnan's life. The main suspect behind the crimes is Sandhanam (played by Vijay Sethupathi), a fearsome drug lord who is searching for the missing shipment that could make him the king of the mafia.

The first half of the film is a visual delight for action thriller fans. Kamal Haasan's return to the screen is exciting for both his fans and the audience. Vijay Sethupathi's portrayal of a ruthless villain is impressive, reminiscent of his performance in Master. Fahadh Faasil's acting skills need no introduction, and all three actors deliver terrific performances. As the story unfolds, the police work to solve the complex case, with plenty of surprises in store for the viewers.

Vikram is a star-studded film in every sense of the word. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for his multi-narrative and ensemble cast films, and Kamal Haasan has also been a part of several such projects, where he generously makes room for his co-actors. In Vikram, he does it again, this time sharing the screen with the talented Fahadh Faasil. Both Fahadh and Vijay Sethupathi have important roles to play and they carry the narrative and dramatic load of the film effortlessly. Although VJS seems to be in his comfort zone with his eccentricity, his stilted delivery doesn't always hit the mark. Nevertheless, the film's writing cleverly exploits the shared universe of Vikram and Kaithi. It has enough callbacks to Kaithi, not just in terms of plot, but also in treatment.

The film also features some meta moments that add to its depth. Kamal Haasan's character, Vikram, hands over his grandson to Fahadh's character, almost as if passing on the torch to carry the legacy forward. In an earlier interview, Kamal had mentioned that Fahadh was one of his favourite actors from the current generation. While the film's emotional core sometimes struggles to breathe under the weight of building a franchise, the surprises it throws at the audience keeps the curiosity alive. Additionally, the film is a refreshing change as it features female characters who are truly relevant and significant to the story. Overall, the writing is top-notch, and all the actors are used well, giving them all memorable moments.