You know those eye-roll-inducing movies that, despite their flaws, manage to hold a strange fascination over their audiences, drawing crowds time and again? That’s the “Aranmanai” franchise in a nutshell.
The Tamil horror-comedy film was a smash hit when it debuted in 2014, charming family audiences with its all-in-one package that included scares, action, an impressive cast, lavish songs, and grand visual effects.
Director and lead actor Sundar C has ridden this success with several sequels, albeit with redundant storylines. Now, 10 years later, it’s back. The question is, is it time to bid farewell to “Aranmanai” (which means “mansion”) – or does this fourth instalment hold the promise of redemption?
If you’ve been a die-hard fan of the series, chances are you’re going to enjoy this one, too. This instalment departs from the typical revenge saga centred around a ghost with a tragic backstory, offering instead a slightly less predictable narrative.
This time around, Sundar plays a devoted man named Saravanan, who dives into the murky circumstances surrounding his sister Selvi (played by Tamannaah), who is said to have taken her own life.
As he digs deeper, he uncovers more at play than mere family drama: a sinister supernatural force is stirring. The plot thickens with the introduction of Baak, a demonic entity from Assamese folklore.
The film raises the stakes as it explores whether Saravanan can unravel the mystery surrounding Selvi’s and her husband’s untimely deaths – and save his young niece before it’s too late.
While the storyline has seen a modest evolution, “Aranmanai 4” offers the expected elements associated with the franchise.
It features attractive A-list stars, with Tamannaah standing out not only for her stunning looks but also for her portrayal of a devoted mother willing to go to any length to protect her children… even in death.
Meanwhile, popular actress Raashi Khanna also makes an appearance but, sadly, fails to leave a significant impact.
In addition, the film offers a handful of jump scares that will give kids a thrill, along with comedy that will appeal to the entire family.
As Saravanan’s mother, Kovai Sarala steals the show, while other comedians – from Yogi Babu to Ganesh and Rajendran – deliver commendable performances, shining with their delivery of dialogue and performance of physical comedy.
That all said, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the humour quotient seems to diminish with each consecutive film.
Elsewhere, the musical score by HipHop Tamizha Adhi stands out, while the climactic dance sequence featuring Khushboo and Simran in a fast-paced religious song adds to the film’s overall grandeur.
Now here’s the bad news – if you’re not a fan of the franchise to begin with, or your cinematic tastes have matured since the mid-2000s, then you might want to avoid wasting 2.5 hours watching “Aranmanai 4”.
The clichés are rampant, making it feel like a throwback to the mid-2000s. From amorphous smoke figures and flickering lights to a scene lifted directly from “The Conjuring 2”, this movie lacks originality.
There is barely any emotional impact, with abrupt shifts from mournful moments to unexpected humour. Bumbling comedians who face the ghost survive without a scratch, while brutal murders occur elsewhere, adding to the inconsistency.
The overuse of tacky visual effects, particularly during the climax where Tamannaah channels The Avengers’ Wanda, is noticeable.
Overall, though, “Aranmanai 4” delivers exactly what it promises, and Sundar continues to cater to the masses who seek pure entertainment over logic. The man deserves credit for steering the storyline in a slightly different direction, adding enough suspense to keep viewers guessing.
And while the film may not leave you raving, entering with no expectations ensures you won’t leave bitterly disappointed, either.
As of press time, ‘Aranmanai 4’ is screening in selected cinemas nationwide.