Director:Mani Ratnam
MusicA R Rahman
Cast:Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Pritviraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Priya Mani, RANGITA (Nityananda Fame)
Producer:Madras
Veera(Vikram) a naxalite who fights for downtrodden village men is being chased down by SP Dev(Pritiviraj). Veera kidnaps Ragini (Aishwarya Rai) Dev’s wife and later plans to kill her in an Intentionally contemptuous behavior. All for the loss of his sister (Priyamani) ravished by Dev’s men (cops)
Veera makes all his movements in deep woods and is difficult for Dev to track him down.
Even though he gets help through (Karthik) forest officer, all his attempts doesn’t pay him instead Veera a sure footed man notes all the movements of Dev and continues to kill everyone who eventually led to the suicide of his sister in a rebellious manner.
During the second half the movie goes a bit slow till the forest officer finds the hide out of Veera and urges him for a peace talk in return, benefits for his people. Veera sends one of his people to have a confronted conversation is later shot down by Dev’s unethical behavior.
Devastated on seeing his men dead, Ignites the fire in him and decides to completely wash out the Cops especially Dev. All this leads to Climax fight sequence on a hanging bridge..
Director Mani seems to be totally lost here…. why an engaging person(VEERA) decides to save DEV ….. Later gets killed by him in an open encounter? Is it for the benefit of Ragini ? or In compensation for his men who got killed by Dev during peace process ? or a serious of events that lead to the suicide of his sister ? Is VEERA a naxalite or a humanitarian!!!!!!! Doesn’t really fit in!!!!!!!!!
Movie Picturisation:
The film captures the typical if not for real a rainforest atmosphere from the waterfalls, woods, lush greenery, and frost all adding to the grandeur of the movie.
Music picturisation:
ARR’s BGM stands apart as usual, yet the picturisation of songs is far below average and for the very first time AR Rahaman and Mani combination doesn’t seem to blend well. Only Kalvare sung by Shreya Ghoshal is damn good not just for the music but for Ragni’s flexible dance movements that hooks the audience.
Mani has kept aside his vintage old experience and has made this movie as a debutant.
Vikram has been taken lightly in this movie as his acting prowess is far below to his yester year movies like ANNIYAN, PITHAMAGAN to name a few.
The script too is weak absence of Sujatha(script writer) is clearly felt.
Its time Director Mani looks into movies like NADODIGAL, SUBRAMANIAPURAM, RENIGUNTA and IRUMBU KOTTAI MURATTU SINGAM (for sets) and realizes that young guns are ready to fire….without adapting olden mythological saga.
BOTTOM LINE:
Mani is a Maverick in Making Money with this Movie by positioning his brand value and nothing else...
VERDICT:
Old wine in new bottle lacks exquisite flavors. 
