His last outing was in 2023’s “Thunivu,” and since then, anticipation has been mounting.
Translated to “perseverance triumphs”, “Vidaamuyarchi” is an action thriller that has been brewing for two years.
The film features a solid ensemble cast with Trisha Krishnan playing the lead female role, along with Regina Cassandra, and Aarav.
But the real draw is the long-awaited reunion of Ajith and 62-year-old Arjun Sarja as the antagonist – marking their first on-screen clash since the cult classic “Mankatha” 14 years ago.
Directed by Magizh Thirumeni, known for “Meaghamann” and “Thadam”, “Vidaamuyarchi” is set against the rugged landscape of Azerbaijan and, for the most part, delivers a gripping thriller that stays true to its genre.
More than a decade after Arjun (Ajith) and Kayal (Trisha) fell in love and tied the knot, the romance has clearly fizzled out. When Kayal drops the bombshell that she wants a divorce, Arjun suggests one last road trip to her parents’ house – several hours away. But this isn’t just any emotional farewell drive.
Things take a sharp turn when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal.
Enter Rakshith (Arjun Sarja) and Deepika (Regina Cassandra), seemingly helpful strangers who offer Kayal a ride to a nearby café while Arjun stays back to fix the car.
But when Arjun finally gets to the café, Kayal is nowhere to be found – and neither are their so-called rescuers. And just like that, the nightmare begins.
The first act of “Vidaamuyarchi” beautifully weaves between present-day road trip blues and flashbacks to Arjun and Kayal’s early love story. And for once, it doesn’t feel forced or saccharine. It’s the kind of romance that makes you smile – a mix of dreamy, witty, and genuinely heartfelt moments, right down to a charming proposal scene.
Even the film’s one standout song, “Sawadeeka” by Anirudh, fits well within this narrative.
Unlike his previous films, Ajith ditches the larger-than-life hero persona. No punch dialogues, no slow-motion grand entrances, no self-referential moments tailor-made for fan frenzy.
Instead, he’s just a regular corporate guy who adores his wife and suddenly finds himself fighting for her life. And the best part? It works.
For much of the movie, Arjun is not the invincible hero. He stumbles, struggles with language barriers, gets mocked by locals, and is even bullied by a gang of young thugs who pummel him mercilessly. No instant retaliation, no sudden power-up. Just pure helplessness.
So when he finally does fight back, it feels earned. And that first big action sequence – an intense, claustrophobic fight inside a moving car – is an absolute masterclass in tension.
The film is packed with twists and turns. One of its biggest strengths? Keeping audiences constantly questioning what’s real. Was Kayal kidnapped, or did she leave voluntarily? Is everything happening in Arjun’s head? Who can truly be trusted? The suspense builds masterfully, leading to an unpredictable, emotionally charged climax.
While Arjun delivers his signature menacing-yet-charismatic villain performance, the real scene-stealer is Regina Cassandra. Playing Rakshith’s love interest, she embodies a complex, manipulative character who keeps the audience second-guessing her motives.
Trisha, as Kayal, brings nuance to a role that straddles shades of grey – making viewers unsure whether to love her or hate her.
The cinematography and editing keep things tight – no exaggerated slow-motion explosions, just raw, gripping action, including plenty of hand-to-hand combat.
But be warned: the violence is unflinching. By the climax, the film almost takes a page from “Evil Dead Rise”, with a barrage of brutal and inventive ways to take down characters. Not for the faint-hearted.
Is “Vidaamuyarchi” a genre-defining masterpiece? No.
But is it a solid, gripping thriller that’s well worth a cinema watch? Absolutely.
It’s a refreshing change of pace for Ajith, shedding the weight of his usual star-studded formulas for something that feels more grounded and intense.
‘Vidaamuyarchi’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.