tamil movie review iraivan

'Iraivan' film review: A BLOODY thriller with solid performances

Ahead of one of the many gruesome scenes in  Iraivan , we see Rahul Bose's Bramma watching an episode of  Tom & Jerry , where Spike, Tom and Jerry beat each other to a pulp in a cyclic order. This effective slapstick sequence, unfortunately, turns out to be an inspiration for the psycho killer Bramma and he proceeds to hit a tied-up victim almost mimicking the same style till she passes out. As I gasped for breath at the disturbing but brilliant tonal shift, I was also surprised by the power of perspectives and gaze. It is no surprise that  Iraivan  is a violence-rich psychological thriller, but let me break it to you, it is easily one of the most violent and gruesome films to be ever made in Tamil cinema. We get ample visuals of amputated limbs, nude dead bodies, semi-naked victims and other gruesome deaths. In stark contrast to the usual, safe implied violence techniques we are used to in our thrillers, director Ahmed leaves little to the imagination. Though these may sound like a tailor-made recipe for torture porn,  Iraivan  steers away sharply with its sensitive gaze. Probably, the inclusion of a couple of untrimmed shots and probing camera angles would have turned  Iraivan  into an entirely different film, but Ahmed, cinematographer Hari K Vedantam and editor JV Manikanda Balaji know exactly when and where to stop. 

The self-censoring is very much an extension of the self-awareness in the writing. Jayam Ravi's Arjun is an encounter cop, but he is never hailed as the saviour or angel. Rather he is painted as a prisoner of destiny who lives with the self-imposed burden to wipe out evil. Take for instance his introduction scene, we get a haunting violin score in the place of the usual heroic electric guitar strums. The deglamorised encounter montage that follows reminds us again that he is a beast, who is fortunately blessed with a strong moral compass. I also quite liked how the director establishes a character as a seductress but stays away from making an eye candy out of her, which could have bulldozed the spirit of the film. 

Iraivan  isn't a whodunit and the killers are revealed without any dilly-dallying, however, the screenplay which hardly leaves any breathing space and the solid performances, manages to keep us on the edge of our seats for a significant part. Though Jayam Ravi can brim with rage against injustice even in his sleep by now, the consistent failures and survivor's guilt Arjun goes through and the occasional missteps he takes, distinguish this role from his previous ones. On the other hand, Rahul Bose as the cold-faced Bramma and Vinoth Kishan as the eccentric Babu act as the yang to Arjun's yin and keep the engagement factor intact. The ever-dependable Charle channelises his inner Nagesh and wins our hearts in a scene that feels like a homage to the veteran's performance in  Nammavar . 

However,  Iraivan  is no work of God, to be free of blemishes. Though I understand that the story unveils in an urban setting, it is hard not to notice that all the victims in the story are modern and outspoken women. Though there is a lot to laud about the film's background score by Yuvan Shankar Raja and the other technical departments, it is hard not to notice the consistent issues in the dubbing. Though the film makes the representation of most of the characters feel realistic and grounded, it is hard not to notice the logical loopholes in the writing. 

Since the memories of  Por Thozhil  are still afresh the copycat killer trope doesn't excite us the way it should have. But what got me intrigued is  Iraivan 's world, which is filled with people going through several psychological conditions. Schizophrenia, necrophilia, nymphomania, saviour complex, chronic depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome... you name it, the film has it. And somehow these conditions organically fit into aid the narrative of  Iraivan . 

I also quite liked how the film takes time to establish how a crime or death can trigger a chain reaction and affect everyone involved in the radar. However, it feels rather odd that a film titled after God is devoid of any backstories. After all, isn't God built on interesting origin tales?

Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Rahul Bose, Vijayalakshmi, Narain

Director: I Ahmed 

Rating: 3/5

(This story originally appeared on cinemaexpress.com )

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Iraivan Review: A Basic Serial Killer Thriller That Doesn't Do Much to Be Emotionally Intriguing

Director and Writer: I Ahmed

Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Rahul Bose, Lachu, Narain

Duration: 122 mins

Available in: Theatres

“ Man is the most dangerous animal of all ” is the quote that director I Ahmed begins Iraivan with. It’s the thesis on which he has built this film. It’s basic but surely befitting to the subject of serial killers, now also a genre that has audiences worldwide watching in arrested enthusiasm. The problem is when a film begins to feel like it was envisioned to play into this “trend” rather than present a not-so-basic perspective on this subject. Why are humans so interested in watching this genre? Why is a particular gender more drawn towards it? There are so many interesting things to explore about storytelling through this subject. But at this rate of enquiry, I might begin projecting my personal vision for a serial killer film rather than reading it for what it is, so I’ll stop here.

This is a film about men who aren’t afraid to play God, in the name of both killing and saving. Bramma (an over-the-top Rahul Bose) is a psychopath who equates killing mosquitoes to killing humans. Arjun (Jayam Ravi) is a trigger-happy cop who takes it upon himself to dish out fatal justice to criminals. Neither of them is capable of feeling fear in their bones. The story is built around someone who is enamoured by these figures, an outlier of society, who seeks validation from both of them in very twisted ways. These are the interesting ideas around which a narrative is executed in an absolutely uninteresting manner.

The One Big Idea

This is a classic case of a filmmaker not trying anything new beyond the One Big Idea that seems to have inspired him to put this film together. The only image that stuck with me is the father of a victim deciding to join his daughter in another realm, on seeing the horrifying footage of her being killed. I also liked the tiredness in Jayam Ravi’s eyes – a far cry from his sharp gaze as Ponniyin Selvan. He seems to be constantly on his toes too, and this demeanour fits who Arjun is. Presentation is given a lot of importance – the flashy cuts, the deeply saturated grading, cool motion graphics, etc. Beyond this, the film either doesn’t try enough with its emotions or just tries too much to create the atmosphere. Ahmed sure isn’t afraid to drop dead bodies, and there’s a mind-numbing amount of them in this serial killer thriller. There’s not a single secondary character rendered with an emotional beat that we haven’t seen before. There’s no subtlety to the music, the threats or even the gore. Everything is amped up to spell out the mood of a scene.

The women in Arjun’s life are all used as entities that at some point will raise the stakes in his hunt for his serial killer. Let’s not even get into the gaze behind the depiction of female victims. I wish the film understood women as people, rather than roles in a screenplay. The victim. The sister. The nymphomaniac. We see from a mile away that a woman being given more than three seconds of screen time is going to be a victim at some point in the screenplay. Priya (Nayanthara), who is Arjun’s love interest, is shown to be insensitive to his trauma. He’s someone who has seen his brother dying, of course he’s going to be unsettled on receiving a letter that could potentially be from the man who killed his brother. It’s almost annoying to watch her written as being oblivious to who he has become as a person. It’s a shame that it also comes across as if she’s here as a reason for Yuvan Shankar Raja to justify his paycheck.

True Psychopathy or Outright Parody?

That lack of emotional logic spills out to the investigation as well. The senior cop is always oblivious to his team’s findings and has to always get a fat exposition dump in conveniently late moments. He scolds his fellow officers and in the very next moment has to awkwardly take back his words because his team was just waiting to be reprimanded to reveal major findings. The climax is also an age-old face-off with someone at knifepoint, with the cops obviously arriving only after stuff goes down. In a ridiculous flashback, Bramma transfers his “killing mosquitoes equals killing humans” psychosis to Babu over a single conversation. There are many such moments that operate on the borderline between true psychopathy and outright parody.

Babu is an eccentric character, with a rather convoluted origin story. Vinoth Kishan plays him to creepy effects, but the material doesn’t offer depth beyond an interesting idea. There’s even a moment built around holding back from revealing Babu as the killer, but the music gives away that Arjun is definitely right about his reading of him. The film doesn’t even want to leave room for us to be surprised. But of course, that’s because the hero can never be wrong! That’s the level of basic we’re operating at through most of Iraivan . The most complex it gets is with how Babu is affected by not getting genuine validation from his self-anointed mentor, Bramma. He is also unsatiated by not getting to see fear on Arjun’s face. He can’t stop his psychopathy unless the latter does show it. I wish the film explored Babu’s ego further. There's a more serious film in there.

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Iraivan (2023)

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'Iraivan' review: Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara deliver a lacklustre thriller

The opening sequence of 'Iraivan' paints a stark picture of Arjun, portrayed by Jayam Ravi, as a relentless police officer who stops at nothing to deliver justice. Directed by I Ahmed, this film marks Jayam Ravi's return to the screen after his eponymous role in Mani Ratnam's epic 'Ponniyin Selvan', reuniting him with Nayanthara, his partner from the hit 'Thani Oruvan'. Against the backdrop of Tamil cinema's recent fascination with serial killer narratives, Iraivan appears to draw inspiration from notable works like 'Por Thozhil' and 'Psycho'.

In thriller films, a crucial element is crafting a villain who outshines the hero tenfold. The hero's duty revolves around rescuing the victims and thwarting impending doom, while the villain must exude an aura of sheer terror, embodying complete madness. This is the time-tested formula often observed in the genre, and Iraivan faithfully adheres to this blueprint. Jayam Ravi, with his imposing stature and robust physique, is convincing as the valiant saviour, while Rahul Bose delivers a brilliant performance as the deranged psycho killer Bramma.

The basic plotline of the movie revolves around how the psychotic criminal kills his victims and the efforts of officers Arjun (Jayam Ravi) and Andrew (Narain) to apprehend this ruthless murderer.

Jayam Ravi-Nayanthara starrer 'Iraivan' locks its OTT release date

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The film, however, stumbles in its execution. In a genre already saturated with numerous thrilling tales, it is imperative for a new entrant to inject freshness into the storyline. Unfortunately, the first half of the movie fails to do so. As the plot unfolds, it becomes disconcertingly easy for viewers to predict who the next victim will be, partly due to how certain characters are positioned within the story, telegraphing their impending fate.

The second half of the film undoubtedly exhibits an improvement in pacing and narrative intensity. The first half concludes with a chilling clue or revelation from Rahul Bose's character to Jayam Ravi, suggesting that the spree of killings is far from over. This pivotal moment becomes the foundation upon which the movie evolves. However, while Rahul Bose's portrayal of the psycho killer thrills the audience, the introduction of yet another character in the second half may feel somewhat stretched and slightly far-fetched.

The movie could have undoubtedly been elevated to a higher standard had it refrained from the inclusion of superfluous emotional sequences. While Jayam Ravi's action sequences were commendable, his portrayal of emotional scenes lacked the authenticity needed, at times bordering on the comedic. Furthermore, some of the deaths in the film appear excessively exaggerated. For instance, when the killer subjects the victims' families to the torment of viewing their torture videos, it's natural for family members to be emotionally devastated. However, in 'Iraivan', the family members don't just react emotionally to the killer's videos; they go into full 'Bird Box' mode and decide to dramatically end their own lives—an exaggeration that feels excessive within the context of the story.

The ensemble cast, featuring talents like Narain, Nayanthara, and Vijayalakshmi Feroz, delivers commendable performances. However, Nayanthara, despite being the lead heroine, finds herself with a rather underwhelming role in the film. Especially after her powerful performance in 'Jawan,' her character in 'Iraivan' appears less promising.

For avid fans of hardcore thriller movies, this film may not provide the same level of satisfaction. Nevertheless, if you happen to be a devoted Jayam Ravi enthusiast, you'll likely find some enjoyment in this moderately engaging thriller.

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Iraivan Movie Review: A BLOODY thriller with solid performances  

Rating: ( 3 / 5)

Ahead of one of the many gruesome scenes in Iraivan , we see Rahul Bose's Bramma watching an episode of Tom & Jerry , where Spike, Tom and Jerry beat each other to a pulp in a cyclic order. This effective slapstick sequence, unfortunately, turns out to be an inspiration for the psycho killer Bramma and he proceeds to hit a tied-up victim almost mimicking the same style till she passes out. As I gasped for breath at the disturbing but brilliant tonal shift, I was also surprised by the power of perspectives and gaze. It is no surprise that Iraivan is a violence-rich psychological thriller, but let me break it to you, it is easily one of the most violent and gruesome films to be ever made in Tamil cinema. We get ample visuals of amputated limbs, nude dead bodies, semi-naked victims and other gruesome deaths. In stark contrast to the usual, safe implied violence techniques we are used to in our thrillers, director Ahmed leaves little to the imagination. Though these may sound like a tailor-made recipe for torture porn, Iraivan steers away sharply with its sensitive gaze. Probably, the inclusion of a couple of untrimmed shots and probing camera angles would have turned Iraivan into an entirely different film, but Ahmed, cinematographer Hari K Vedantam and editor JV Manikanda Balaji know exactly when and where to stop. 

Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Rahul Bose, Vijayalakshmi, Narain

Director: I Ahmed 

The self-censoring is very much an extension of the self-awareness in the writing. Jayam Ravi's Arjun is an encounter cop, but he is never hailed as the saviour or angel. Rather he is painted as a prisoner of destiny who lives with the self-imposed burden to wipe out evil. Take for instance his introduction scene, we get a haunting violin score in the place of the usual heroic electric guitar strums. The deglamorised encounter montage that follows reminds us again that he is a beast, who is fortunately blessed with a strong moral compass. I also quite liked how the director establishes a character as a seductress but stays away from making an eye candy out of her, which could have bulldozed the spirit of the film. 

Iraivan isn't a whodunit and the killers are revealed without any dilly-dallying, however, the screenplay which hardly leaves any breathing space and the solid performances, manages to keep us on the edge of our seats for a significant part. Though Jayam Ravi can brim with rage against injustice even in his sleep by now, the consistent failures and survivor's guilt Arjun goes through and the occasional missteps he takes, distinguish this role from his previous ones. On the other hand, Rahul Bose as the cold-faced Bramma and Vinoth Kishan as the eccentric Babu act as the yang to Arjun's yin and keep the engagement factor intact. The ever-dependable Charle channelises his inner Nagesh and wins our hearts in a scene that feels like a homage to the veteran's performance in Nammavar . 

However, Iraivan is no work of God, to be free of blemishes. Though I understand that the story unveils in an urban setting, it is hard not to notice that all the victims in the story are modern and outspoken women. Though there is a lot to laud about the film's background score by Yuvan Shankar Raja and the other technical departments, it is hard not to notice the consistent issues in the dubbing. Though the film makes the representation of most of the characters feel realistic and grounded, it is hard not to notice the logical loopholes in the writing. 

Since the memories of Por Thozhil are still afresh the copycat killer trope doesn't excite us the way it should have. But what got me intrigued is Iraivan 's world, which is filled with people going through several psychological conditions. Schizophrenia, necrophilia, nymphomania, saviour complex, chronic depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome... you name it, the film has it. And somehow these conditions organically fit into aid the narrative of Iraivan . 

I also quite liked how the film takes time to establish how a crime or death can trigger a chain reaction and affect everyone involved in the radar. However, it feels rather odd that a film titled after God is devoid of any backstories. After all, isn't God built on interesting origin tales?

Iraivan Movie Review: I Ahmed's 'Iraivan', with Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara, is a super-generic and underwhelming serial-killer thriller

• 28 Sep 2023
• Release Date: 28 Sep 2023

Iraivan Movie Cast & Crew

Man is the most dangerous animal of all. These are not my words. These are the words that open this thriller, which features Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara as Arjun and Priya. He is a cop. She is a cop's sister. (Narain plays her brother, Andrew.) Arjun is impatient and believes in encounter killings, saying that he cannot wait for God to deliver justice. Priya is waiting for him to realise that, despite these rules he lives his life by, he can still get married. I liked one line that Andrew says to Arjun, that death never comes to people who say they are not afraid to die. It comes to people around them. Otherwise, this is not a film where the actors are required to give much of a performance. The direction is loud and simplistic. The events are random. If Arjun is going to continue with the investigation, why have him resign and turn in his gun? Nothing makes sense. If Arjun is stepping away to open a coffee shop, then it would be nice to show him getting pulled back in. But that, I guess, would require too much thinking, too much writing.

And into these lives, a serial killer arrives. He calls himself Bramma, after the Creator in Hindu mythology. I wondered why he did not call himself Shiva. He is, after all, the Destroyer. This guy targets very young females, and this gives the director the opportunity to stage a series of very sensationalistic frames of nude and brutalised women. How many scenes do we need of the victims spread out in various poses? How many scenes do we need of parents weeping over videos of their dying daughters? What are the voices the killer says he keeps hearing? Why keep introducing young women so obviously, so the audience is already prepared that they are going to get abducted? And why on earth does Arjun keep screaming the name of the girl as he runs around trying to save her? Does he not know the killer could be around and realise that Arjun is approaching? 

Questions, questions are all we are left with. The one thing that works is that the Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara characters do not have a love angle. She wants to be there for him, but he is afraid that his job and his enemies will make her life dangerous. So there's an off-on quality to their relationship. Like everything else in the film, this is sketchy – but at least, we are spared random love moments in the midst of a gruesome thriller. But everything else is super-generic. It's as though they thought we have seen these scenarios anyway, so why bother to flesh these people out. But fleshing out is what will make this serial-killer thriller different from a  Ratchasan  or a  Por Thozhil . The overall arc may be the same, but it's the specifics that make the movie.  Iraivan  is all one-line and no follow-through.

Hereon, you are going to find spoilers, so read with caution…

Rahul Bose plays the villain, and his role is underwritten to the point of being comical.  Like the serial killer in Michael Mann's  Manhunter , our man gouges out the eyes of his victims. But there has to be a twisted reason for this MO, something that explains the reason for this particular method of killing, and that's missing. Again, chalk it up to the (lack of) writing. Another point that feels really odd is when one victim is described as a nymphomaniac. She may well be one, but what has that got to do with the story? Does her nature change the killer? Or is this just some male fantasy being played out? Even when Arjun says there is a second killer, you wonder how he knows. Again, these contrivances are not fleshed out, and things just seem to be happening because the writer-director wants them to and not because the character instigates these thoughts/actions.

And then, we get this copycat killer, whose motivations seem even worse. When he says he wants to embrace Arjun, you not only know what he is going to say, you also can guess the camera angles, the staging.  Iraivan  keeps throwing new things (like a soft porn theatre) and new people into the mix – I guess the idea is that we will remain unsettled, that we will stay pleasantly confused about the who and the why. But this is a case where we are clear and it's the writing that's confused. A plot point about a mosquito bat wants to sound philosophical. It sounds painfully half-baked. The director wants every point to have dramatic punch, but there is no build up to the scene where, say, Andrew dies. He's the hero's best friend. He's the heroine's brother. We need this moment to explode. But though we see drama on screen, we don't feel it. That can be said about most of  Iraivan .

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• About The Author
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Baradwaj Rangan

National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, former deputy editor of The Hindu and senior editor of Film Companion, has carved a niche for himself over the years as a powerful voice in cinema, especially the Tamil film industry, with his reviews of films. While he was pursuing his chemical engineering degree, he was fascinated with the writing and analysis of world cinema by American critics. Baradwaj completed his Master’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations through scholarship. His first review was for the Hindi film Dum, published on January 30, 2003, in the Madras Plus supplement of The Economic Times. He then started critiquing Tamil films in 2014 and did a review on the film Subramaniapuram, while also debuting as a writer in the unreleased rom-com Kadhal 2 Kalyanam. Furthermore, Baradwaj has authored two books - Conversations with Mani Ratnam, 2012, and A Journey Through Indian Cinema, 2014. In 2017, he joined Film Companion South and continued to show his prowess in critiquing for the next five years garnering a wide viewership and a fan following of his own before announcing to be a part of Galatta Media in March 2022.

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Iraivan Tamil Movie Review: Jayam Ravi & Nayanthara Starrer is a Riveting & Intense Psycho Thriller

Iraivan Tamil Movie Review: Rahul Bose's portrayal of the psychopathic serial killer, known as the "Smiley Killer" Brahma, is truly bone-chilling.

Iraivan Tamil Movie Review: Jayam Ravi shines in the role of Arjun, an investigating officer tasked with solving a series of heinous crimes. While Ravi has portrayed police officers before, his performance in Iraivan is particularly captivating, showcasing his ability to convey intensity and determination as he embarks on the hunt for a chilling psycho killer.

Iraivan Tamil Movie Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara , Rahul Bose, Ashish Vidyarthi

Iraivan Tamil Movie Director: I. Ahmed

Iraivan Tamil Movie Review

Iraivan is a Tamil-language psychological action thriller that takes viewers on a spine-chilling journey into the depths of a city plagued by gruesome murders. Directed and written by I. Ahmed, the film boasts a stellar cast and an intense narrative.

Jayam Ravi shines in the role of Arjun, an investigating officer tasked with solving a series of heinous crimes. While Ravi has portrayed police officers before, his performance in Iraivan is particularly captivating, showcasing his ability to convey intensity and determination as he embarks on the hunt for a chilling psycho killer.

Rahul Bose’s portrayal of the psychopathic serial killer, known as the “Smiley Killer” Brahma, is truly bone-chilling. He captures the essence of a character with a God complex, delivering a performance that exudes brutal malevolence.

Iraivan delves deep into the psychological aspect of the narrative, exploring the complex interplay between good and evil, as well as the concept of divine justice versus human intervention. The film’s thematic layers add depth to the storyline, making it more than just a typical action thriller.

Director I. Ahmed successfully creates a tense and gripping atmosphere, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film. The cat-and-mouse game between Arjun and Brahma adds an element of suspense and intrigue.

In summary, Iraivan is a riveting Tamil thriller that not only offers action-packed sequences but also delves into the psychological complexities of its characters. Jayam Ravi and Rahul Bose deliver standout performances, and the film’s exploration of themes like morality and divine justice adds depth to the narrative. If you’re a fan of intense psychological thrillers, Iraivan is a must-watch that will leave you questioning the very nature of good and evil.

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Iraivan review: Director Ahmed delivers a grim, dark crime thriller

The film has some fantastic performances that add immense value to the plot. However, it doesn't delve deep into the investigation part.

Published:Sep 28, 2023

A poster of the film 'Iraivan'. (X)

A decent attempt at filmmaking.

Iraivan (Tamil)

• Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Ashish Vidyarthi,  Naren, Ashish Vidhyarthi, Vijayalakshmi, Charlie, Rahul Bose, and Azhagamperumal
• Director: I Ahmed
• Producer: Sudhan Sundaram & Jayaram G
• Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
• Runtime: 2 hours 33 minutes
• Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, and Revathy
• Director: Maneesh Sharma
• Producer: Aditya Chopra
• Music: Pritam Chakraborty
• Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

Director I Ahmed, best known for making feel-good entertainers like Manithan (2016) and Endrendrum Punnagai (2013), this time around delivers a grim, dark investigative thriller that revolves around psychopaths and cops.

Ahmed’s motive is evident in Iraivan . He wishes to shock audiences by the brutality of the crimes shown in the film and thereby gain their attention.

In fact, the director even succeeds in this mission to an extent. However, his problem lies in retaining this hard-won attention of the audience.

Before we get to discussing any more details, here is the synopsis.

Jayam Ravi in ‘Iraivan’. (X)

Arjun (Jayam Ravi) and Andrew (Narain) are two competent police officers who are also good friends.

Arjun is single, fearless and has the ability to swiftly switch to being ruthless if need be.

Andrew has a wife Jasmine (Vijayalakshmi), daughter Sophia, and sister Priya (Nayanthara) to take care of. He is a little more cautious while dealing with criminals.

Life is pleasant for both friends until a difficult case is entrusted to them.

A vicious and brutal psychopath named Brahma (Rahul Bose), who kidnaps and tortures young girls to their deaths, is on the prowl. Brahma is an intelligent killer and considers himself God.

His acts, which usually result in decapitated bodies of victims being found in secluded areas, send shivers down the spine of not just young women but even the cops themselves.

After a long and arduous struggle, the police succeed in nabbing him but not before he manages to kill 11 girls. What is even more difficult to digest is that Andrew gets killed in the process of nabbing Brahma. His death leaves Arjun heartbroken.

With Andrew gone, Arjun resigns his job in the police force, sets up a coffee shop and moves in with Andrew’s family.

Just when things seem to be returning to normal for Arjun and the city, Brahma escapes from prison, and young girls begin to die in a horrible fashion again.

What happens then is what Iraivan is all about.

Also Read: Mammootty’s ‘Kannur Squad’ is both realistic and cinematic

A promising start.

To Ahmed’s credit, Iraivan starts on a promising note, with the gruesome crimes actually managing to get you interested in the plot.

Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, who plays psychopath Brahma, looks the part and instils fear in the minds of the audiences.

Up until this point, you have no problem buying what Ahmed intends to sell. But the problem begins just after the crimes are committed.

Sequences pertaining to the investigation of the crimes have been poorly conceived. They aren’t convincing and appear superficial.

In fact, there is no single substantial investigative scene in the film until the 11th victim gets murdered.

Part of the joy in watching an investigative thriller comes from knowing how cops add small pieces of evidence at the scene of the crime to arrive at the big picture.

The effort behind the magical #Azhagai 🔥❤️ Experience the enchanting melody from #Iraivan only on @JungleeMusicSTH – https://t.co/RXA2J2uOdo @actor_jayamravi #Nayanthara @Ahmed_filmmaker @thisisysr @PassionStudios_ @eforeditor @jacki_art @Dophari @Synccinema @MangoPostIndia … pic.twitter.com/GfJMU5bMuz — Junglee Music South (@JungleeMusicSTH) September 13, 2023

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Doesn’t delve deep.

Nayanthara and Jayam Ravi in ‘Iraivan’. (X)

The audience is eager to know how cops first find the motive of the psychopath, study his style of functioning and then spot his or her weaknesses, if any.

Sadly, Iraivan does not delve deep into any of these aspects.

The investigation bit comes into the picture only when the daughter of a fellow policeman (Charlie) is kidnapped, and that is enthralling to watch.

In particular, Arjun’s deduction about the victim being kept in a car parked at the scene of crime for three hours by the psychopath is just fantastic.

The logic is that the psychopath is aware that cops, who are looking for any suspicious vehicles, only check CCTV footage around the scene of the crime for only an hour from the time of the crime being committed. That probably is one of the highlights of the movie.

The second half of Iraivan is much better than the first as the plot thickens and we get to know that Brahma is just one part of the problem.

Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Vaccine War’ isn’t as good as the title

Performances.

Iraivan has some fine performances to offer.

Jayam Ravi as Arjun does a neat, impressive job. He seems very comfortable in the role of a determined cop and easily slips into the skin of the character.

Rahul Bose, Vinod Kishen, Naren, Vijayalakshmi, and Charlie too come up with fantastic performances that add immense value to the plot.

Nayanthara has no problem playing the part of Priya, a girl who says she can fall in love with no one else other than Arjun.

Hari K Vedanth’s visuals and Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music are huge pluses that help the film’s credibility.

Editor Manikanda Balaji could have been a little more ruthless and tightened the story even further. His leniency seems to make the film appear a tad too long, and this, in turn, gives the impression that the story is being unnecessarily stretched.

Next single #IdhuPola from #Iraivan to accompany you on Sept 16th, at 5:05 PM 🎧🎶 @actor_jayamravi #Nayanthara @Ahmed_filmmaker @thisisysr @eforeditor @jacki_art @Dophari @Synccinema @MangoPostIndia @gopiprasannaa @JungleeMusicSTH @SureshChandraa @Donechannel1 pic.twitter.com/I5cc6eySD4 — Passion Studios (@PassionStudios_) September 14, 2023

Despite its drawbacks, Iraivan is still a decent attempt at filmmaking.

However, be warned that the film is a grim, intense crime thriller that has little to offer in terms of light-hearted entertainment.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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• Tamil cinema
• tamil movie

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Iraivan review: Jayam Ravi’s gory thriller has little mystery to offer

Iraivan (Tamil) ( 2 / 5)

Iraivan opens with mutilated naked bodies of women, and introduces us to the “Smiley Killer”. The film wants you to believe that it’s akin to the many darkly thrilling Nordic crime dramas out there. But wanting you to believe something and putting in the effort to convince you of that are entirely different ventures. Series like the Danish language Chestnut Man , for example, which also features a killer with a similar modus operandi of horrifically disfiguring women victims, has two things Iraivan doesn’t — an intelligent script and a capable woman in the lead. 

In director I Ahmed’s Iraivan , women are just props in a bad story. They’re either bodies to be brutalised or in Nayanthara’s case, a footnote in an indifferent love track. When it’s neither, a victim is described with humiliating detail as a nymphomaniac. The outdated term, once used to indicate compulsive sexuality in women, has evolved. For this film, it’s simply a word to denounce a woman who chooses to have multiple sexual partners.  

The kind of shows Iraivan tries to mimic — the good ones that is, and there are many — put in careful work in creating the mystery and terror surrounding their antagonists. Iraivan comes at this aspect with all the delicacy of a sledgehammer. Unprofessional mental health practitioners make throwaway statements like — “He is perfectly normal. For a psychopath, that is.” A killer casually writes notes with blood. Victims and their families are repeatedly shown sobbing while generic sad music hits a crescendo and Jayam Ravi glowers into the distance. 

Glowering and torturing suspects is mainly what Jayam Ravi does in Iraivan . A reason for his obsessive, sullen demeanour is hastily established early on. He plays Arjun, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) who retires mid-story, but continues on his warpath to find the killer. Clues, evidence,  a rudimentary understanding of mental health, or even basic logic are immaterial to him. Arjun’s only fuel is rage, so bodies keep dropping amid blood and screams to keep him fuming.  

There’s not much that’s impactful about Rahul Bose as one of the villains. What the actor possibly aimed for was unflappably cool. What comes through instead is about as unnerving as a Halloween mask. Vinoth Kishan, appearing in an interesting role, displays mercurial highs and lows. There are fleeting moments when he manages to make your stomach clench, but for the most part he’s left — bellowing and raging — to pull off an unimaginative cliche of people with mental health conditions.

In terms of an actual mystery, Iraivan offers precious little. The twists come too soon for an impact and are then glacially dragged out, relying instead on frantic music to keep up a pretence of suspense. As is often the case with Kollywood crime thrillers, women are present solely to be murdered and violated in countless ways, and cry and sob for help. Or they can be the hero’s background girlfriend with a saintly sense of virtue. If directors think the rest of human emotions and experiences are the dominion of men, the least they could do is write a hero who comes to life with a little more grace than a zombie. 

Nayantara, as Arjun’s love interest Priya, is made to function merely as a filler between murders. The romantic track appears to be there to tick a box, and for when the plot momentarily has nothing else to do.

Yuvan Shankar Raja delivers songs like ‘Azhagai’ and ‘Idhu Pola’ that may be nice to listen to on their own, but are rapidly swallowed up in the chaos of the film. 

Director Ahmed said in a pre-release interview that he’s tried to create a world that is scary and real. All that’s horror-inducing about this supposed thriller is its sense of entitlement about women’s lives and bodies.

Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the series/film. TNM Editorial is independent of any business relationship the organisation may have with producers or any other members of its cast or crew.

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Iraivan Review (Tamil Movie)

Published date : 28/sep/2023.

Iraivan Tamil Movie Review

Iraivan , touted to be a psycho  thriller has Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Rahul Bose in lead roles directed by I Ahmed ( Vaamanan , Endrendrum Punnagai , Manithan ). 

Film certified ‘A’ in first place taken granting to explicitly feature so much blood, violence and gruesome portions which we wanted to quote in first place.

Kick starting with random shots from the personal life of police officer Arjun followed by a missing case routes to the psycho killer, and the bound tracking process. What happens to the killer, victims and an unexpected entry to this premise from no where leads the story further. 

  With too much lethargic screenplay, no interesting sequences to grip and engage the thriller watch, the film falls flat going uninteresting.

  Also, no clear engagement on the characters to connect, understand their motive behind the happenings stands out to be a major misfit. 

  Dull songs, manageable background score by Yuvan and a fine cinematography. 

When the premise or the narration is not told interestingly, there’s no certain point to enjoy in this so called psycho thriller flick.

Nothing to praise, nothing to enjoy in this saga this time. 

Rating - 2/5

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Iraivan Ending Explained & Spoilers: What Happened at the End?

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Iraivan , the 2023 Tamil-language psychological action thriller film directed by I. Ahmed, takes its viewers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, psychological intrigue, and unexpected twists. The film’s climax is both riveting and thought-provoking, leaving audiences with several questions and surprises to ponder. Iraivan was released on September 28, 2023, and is available on Netflix to stream.

Why does Arjun resign from his job?

The movie follows Arjun (Jayam Ravi), an Assistant Commissioner of Police known for his unorthodox methods of dealing with criminals. He is in love with Priya ( Nayanthara ) but is hesitant to marry her due to the enemies he has made during his career. Meanwhile, the city is terrorized by a psychopathic serial killer known as the “Smile-Killer.” He is responsible for the gruesome murders of young girls. Arjun and his friend Andrew (Narain) are assigned to the case. Tragedy strikes when Andrew loses his life confronting the killer, revealed to be Bhrama (Rahul Bose).

Haunted by the trauma of the case, Arjun resigns from the police force. He goes on to open a cafe with Priya to seek a more peaceful life. However, their tranquillity is shattered when Bhrama escapes from prison, and a new wave of horrific murders begins. Arjun receives a death threat letter, seemingly from Bhrama. Additionally, Smile-Killer’s spree intensifies, with gruesome video footage of the victims being sent to their families and the media.

How does Iraivan end?

The plot takes a fascinating turn when Shallu (Aiswarya Suresh), the sole survivor of a previous encounter with Bhrama, goes missing. It’s believed that Bhrama has abducted her again. However, the investigation reveals that Bhrama may not intend to kill Shallu because she seems to be a willing participant with unconventional tendencies.

As Arjun tracks down the location where Shallu is held captive, a confrontation with Bhrama occurs. Surprisingly, Bhrama claims that someone else has been using his name for the recent murders but refuses to reveal their identity. The police fatally shoot Bhrama, and the Smile-Killer’s reign of terror continues.

Suspicion falls on Babu (Vinoth Kishan), an assistant to a church father, who may be the copycat killer. However, Arjun himself becomes a suspect when it is revealed that the video of Shallu’s captivity was sent from his location. In an attempt to apprehend Babu, Arjun confesses to kidnapping Shallu and sending the video, explaining that it was a ruse to lure the real killer, as Bhrama considered Shallu a partner rather than a victim.

Further investigation leads Arjun to believe that Babu is the culprit. However, while en route to arrest him, Arjun receives a call from Jasmine (Vijayalakshmi), Andrew’s widow, who discloses that Babu has abducted her daughter Riya. Babu demands Priya’s presence for the exchange.

Was Arjun able to save Priya?

The climax takes a tragic turn when Jasmine takes her own life, seemingly in compliance with Babu’s demands. The hostage exchange unfolds, but Arjun intervenes, taking Babu’s life to save both Priya and Riya.

The ending of Iraivan is a complex web of psychological manipulation, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice. It raises the question of whether the Smile-Killer was truly Bhrama, or if there was another sinister force at play. Arjun’s actions, driven by a desperate need to protect those he cares about, blur the lines between right and wrong, leaving the audience to ponder the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

The post Iraivan Ending Explained & Spoilers: What Happened at the End? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More .

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‘Iraivan’ movie review: Jayam Ravi’s latest is marred by psycho-thriller deja vu and a messy third act

‘iraivan,’ starring jayam ravi, nayanthara and rahul bose, sets up a promising psycho-thriller premise, but struggles to tie it all together.

Updated - September 28, 2023 07:13 pm IST

Published - September 28, 2023 06:21 pm IST

Jayam Ravi in ‘Iraivan’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

I Ahmed’s Iraivan faces an issue that this new age of content demands us to be aware of; the film is testimony to the fact that the shelf-life of ideas is shrinking and that you always need to be a step ahead of others.

In recent years, we have seen a fair share of psycho-thrillers that successfully piggybacked on the comeback of the genre, thanks to Raatsasan . But the problem with Iraivan , a pure-genre psycho-thriller starring Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara — releasing almost a year after it wrapped production — is that we got a surprise hit in the meantime with Por Thozhil , a film that shares a tad too many similarities with Iraivan .

The comparisons will be unavoidable and quite unfortunate for Ahmed’s film as he seems to have had a really earnest psychopath story to tell, one that stands apart in its over-arching theme; about how power corrupts men to play god. Assistant Commissioner Arjun (Jayam Ravi) cannot wait for God to serve justice, so, he doesn’t even wince when he puts down criminals in his illegal encounter spree. As he himself admits to in the very first shot (a simple, sobering entrance), Arjun is fearless and lacks empathy for those he believes are rotten, and Ravi plays Arjun with a straight face and soulless eyes. Before you squirm and hesitate to know further, given the history of cinema glorifying police encounters, Arjun admits he’s not a good guy and we do get a pay-off later.

Iraivan (Tamil)

Arjun pays heed to only Andrew (Narain), his best friend and colleague, the only voice of consciousness, someone who is constantly worried about what Arjun’s actions could bring upon them and their loved ones. Andrew, aware that the path Arjun has chosen is unredeemable, doesn’t hesitate to break the heart of his sister Priya (Nayanthara) who wants to marry Arjun.

Life goes on until a truly gruesome psychopathic killer called Bhramma a.k.a The Smiley Man (played by a brilliant Rahul Bose) enters the scene with a bone-chilling sequence. He abducts, dreadfully tortures, and kills 20 young women within a short period of time. The city is on high alert and women are petrified to step out... but worry not as Arjun manages to nab the killer. Oh wait, worry more as things take a wild turn when the nutjob mysteriously escapes his asylum and turns more monstrous than before.

Much of what follows next is the standard psycho-investigative thriller; this includes ridiculous writing we have seen before, like when the hero proves he’s all brawn but no brain by giving away his presence in a situation that needs stealth.

However, Iraivan almost comes into its own after the halfway mark, thanks to some really well-written twists in store. A scene that has Brahmma explaining the value of life in our world is superb. But once again, the script struggles to tie it all together, and if not for the climax, the final stretch would have undone any good that the film worked hard to build.

Meanwhile, Ahmed and the producers deserve credit for the casting, as even the actors who just appear in a scene or two leave a lasting impression, most noteworthy of them being Charle as a doting father and a pathologist who conducts post-mortems. Rahul Bose deserves more for all he brings to the table, especially since there is another actor in the film who comes close to stealing his thunder. For Jayam Ravi though, this is a rather dull outing.

The film also profits from how uniquely it builds its world, and the cinematography by Hari K Vedantam (who surprisingly gets a tribute as Ashish Vidyarthi’s character is named after him), as well as the colour grading, play a vital role in immersing us in this gnarly world.

For all that it promises initially, Iraivan  should have worked — it had the barebones to become a landmark psycho-thriller — but the writing and the amateur handling of elementary genre tropes work against itself. That, and the timing of its release.

Iraivan is currently running in theatres

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Tamil cinema / Indian cinema

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Iraivan Ending Explained & Spoilers: What Happened at the End?

By Debmitra Chatterjee

Iraivan , the 2023 Tamil-language psychological action thriller film directed by I. Ahmed, takes its viewers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, psychological intrigue, and unexpected twists. The film’s climax is both riveting and thought-provoking, leaving audiences with several questions and surprises to ponder. Iraivan was released on September 28, 2023, and is available on Netflix to stream. 

Why does Arjun resign from his job?

The movie follows Arjun (Jayam Ravi), an Assistant Commissioner of Police known for his unorthodox methods of dealing with criminals. He is in love with Priya ( Nayanthara ) but is hesitant to marry her due to the enemies he has made during his career. Meanwhile, the city is terrorized by a psychopathic serial killer known as the “Smile-Killer.” He is responsible for the gruesome murders of young girls. Arjun and his friend Andrew (Narain) are assigned to the case. Tragedy strikes when Andrew loses his life confronting the killer, revealed to be Bhrama (Rahul Bose).

Haunted by the trauma of the case, Arjun resigns from the police force. He goes on to open a cafe with Priya to seek a more peaceful life. However, their tranquillity is shattered when Bhrama escapes from prison, and a new wave of horrific murders begins. Arjun receives a death threat letter, seemingly from Bhrama. Additionally, Smile-Killer’s spree intensifies, with gruesome video footage of the victims being sent to their families and the media.

How does Iraivan end?

The plot takes a fascinating turn when Shallu (Aiswarya Suresh), the sole survivor of a previous encounter with Bhrama, goes missing. It’s believed that Bhrama has abducted her again. However, the investigation reveals that Bhrama may not intend to kill Shallu because she seems to be a willing participant with unconventional tendencies.

As Arjun tracks down the location where Shallu is held captive, a confrontation with Bhrama occurs. Surprisingly, Bhrama claims that someone else has been using his name for the recent murders but refuses to reveal their identity. The police fatally shoot Bhrama, and the Smile-Killer’s reign of terror continues.

Suspicion falls on Babu (Vinoth Kishan), an assistant to a church father, who may be the copycat killer. However, Arjun himself becomes a suspect when it is revealed that the video of Shallu’s captivity was sent from his location. In an attempt to apprehend Babu, Arjun confesses to kidnapping Shallu and sending the video, explaining that it was a ruse to lure the real killer, as Bhrama considered Shallu a partner rather than a victim.

Further investigation leads Arjun to believe that Babu is the culprit. However, while en route to arrest him, Arjun receives a call from Jasmine (Vijayalakshmi), Andrew’s widow, who discloses that Babu has abducted her daughter Riya. Babu demands Priya’s presence for the exchange.

Was Arjun able to save Priya?

The climax takes a tragic turn when Jasmine takes her own life, seemingly in compliance with Babu’s demands. The hostage exchange unfolds, but Arjun intervenes, taking Babu’s life to save both Priya and Riya.

The ending of Iraivan is a complex web of psychological manipulation, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice. It raises the question of whether the Smile-Killer was truly Bhrama, or if there was another sinister force at play. Arjun’s actions, driven by a desperate need to protect those he cares about, blur the lines between right and wrong, leaving the audience to ponder the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

A self-proclaimed Bollywood enthusiast with a flair for funk and entertainment. She is a gold medalist from TISS and has contributed to different startups looking after their digital marketing section. She has always been an avid reader as well as a curious writer. In her leisure, she loves to spend time with her dogs and binge on organizational videos.

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• ENGLISH HINDI MALAYALAM TAMIL TELUGU KANNADA BENGALI  

Iraivan Tamil Movie

Iraivan is a 2023 Indian movie directed by Ahmed starring Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Rahul Bose and Aashish Vidyarthi. The feature film is produced by Sudhan Sundaram and G Jayaram and the music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.

A police officer with a tendency to take justice into his own hands embarks on an intense hunt for a brutal serial killer.

Director: Ahmed Producers: Sudhan Sundaram, G Jayaram Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja Cinematographer: Hari K Vedanth Editor: Manikanda Balaji Action Choregrapher: Don ashok

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'Kalki 2898 AD' HD version gets leaked on internet hours after film release

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The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life. Read More

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Kalki 2898 AD Tamil Nadu Box Office Collection Day 1 Prediction: Prabhas' Movie Set For A Strong Opening

Kalki 2898 AD Tamil Nadu Box Office Collection Prediction: The highly anticipated movie 'Kalki 2898 AD,' an epic dystopian science fiction action film directed and written by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas in a crucial role, has garnered immense excitement. It was released on June 27, 2024.

Kalki 2898 AD, Tamil Nadu Box Office Collection Day 1 Prediction

According to a recent report from film industry tracker Box Office Tamil, "Kalki 2898 AD" has made an impressive mark in advance sales across Tamil Nadu. As of nine hours ago, the highly anticipated film had garnered over ₹3.6 crores from 2,298 shows. In Chennai alone, advance sales have reached ₹1.77 crore from 872 shows. This strong pre-release performance highlights the enormous buzz and excitement surrounding the movie, setting the stage for a potentially record-breaking opening day. Fans are eagerly awaiting its release, promising a thrilling cinematic experience.

Kalki 2898 AD Premise

In the year 2898 AD, the world undergoes a profound transformation, with the desertified city of Kasi emerging as humanity's last stronghold. Governed by a totalitarian elite under the firm rule of the god-king Supreme Yaskin, who commands from a towering, inverted pyramidal megastructure known as the "Complex," Kasi symbolises a society immersed in control and dystopia. The film intricately blends ancient Indian Hindu mythology with a futuristic dystopian setting, crafting a narrative that spans millennia. From the ancient era of the Mahabharata in 3102 BC, which heralded the beginning of Kali Yuga, to the distant future of 2898 AD, the story revolves around the mysterious emergence of Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu.

Kalki 2898 AD Cast

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Kalki 2898 AD Crew

Directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by C. Aswani Dutt for Vyjayanthi Movies, this highly anticipated film boasts a skilled team that includes cinematographer Djordje Stojiljkovic and editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao. Nag Ashwin crafted the screenplay meticulously, with additional dialogue by Sai Madhav Burra, complemented by Santhosh Narayanan's evocative musical score, promising a memorable cinematic journey. Distributed by AA Films, this production guarantees to captivate audiences with its visionary storytelling and outstanding ensemble cast.

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