Sasikumar’s Asuravadham: What Works, What Doesn’t

Asuravadham is helmed by Maruthupandian and features Sasikumar, Vasumithra and Nandita Swetha in lead roles.

Plot: As the title says, the story is about 'slaying the demon'. The first half of the film is all about the protagonist marking his man, terrorizing him in episode after episode and driving him mad with fear. The protagonist's revenge motive and backstory are narrated in the latter part of the film that involves an emotional, disturbing episode in his family, comprising his wife and daughter.

What Works

• The top-notch cinematography by S.R.Kathir. The spectacularly shot night scenes are the main take away followed by Govind's pulsating background score (which is on the louder side probably to drive home the impact). The lead character's mean persona and screen presence are further enhanced by these two technicians. There are many build-up shots and stunning action sequences choreographed by Dhilip Subbarayan. The terrific long action stretch at the hotel will leave you at the edge of your seat.
• Sasikumar takes on a role where he has very few dialogues and has to communicate more with his expressions and rough body language. The scenes with his family are emotional; you will empathise with their plight. The crucial long-distance phone call scene between the father and daughter is quite powerful and the 'Alathi Anbai' song is poignant.
• Vasumitra is convincing as the villain, who has his perversions. Nandita Swetha's role is more like an extended cameo but it's nevertheless a bold choice for a heroine.
• Director Maruthapandian impresses in the way he handles the sequences in the first half where the villain is tormented by the protagonist; the fear psychosis feels palpable. He also handles an important segment with the daughter sensitively, without resorting to explicit visuals. The emotional end to the proceedings serves the film well

What Doesn't 

• Story wise, it's all about age-old revenge motivated by personal loss. The pace is largely unhurried.
• An 'A' rating would've been more fitting for Asuravadham (U/A rated) due to its intense and violent nature, and also the episode involving the villain and the little girl.

Final Word: Fans of raw action thrillers ought to dig into what Asuravadham serves. Despite its usual story, the film stands out thanks to its solid filmmaking.