Thani Oruvan (2015)

English translation: The Lone Man
Director: Mohan Raja 
Story: Mohan Raja, Subha
Cast: Jeyam Ravi, Nayantara, Arvind Swamy
Music: Hiphop Tamizha
Time: 155 minutes
Bottom-line: A new type of thriller, with Arvind Swamy giving the performance of his life!

“Un edhiri yaar endru sol... Nee yaar endru solgiren” (translates to “Tell me who your enemy is; I’ll tell you who you are”).

2015 managed to produce at least one good Tamil film, and it is this drama from Mohan Raja. With some terrific acting and an engaging storyline, Thani Oruvan proves that to become successful at the box office and amongst critics, one need not make a masala film all the time.

Jeyam Ravi as Mithran 

The film begins with the arrest of a juvenile, for supposedly murdering a politician. After the opening credits, the timeline shifts several years later, and we meet Mithran (Ravi), an IPS trainee, and his four friends. His lover is Mahima (Nayantara), but Mithran has no plans of having a relationship. Mithran’s main reason for joining the police force is because he wants to root out all the criminals in Chennai, by capturing the three main leaders. As the story progresses we see that all three of them work for a bigger crime lord – a scientist, Siddharth Abimanyu (Swamy). Siddharth seems to have influence in every field and is practically impossible to destroy. Watch what Mithran – the thani oruvan – does to stop Siddahrth’s crimes, as the two involve in a battle of wits...

Arvind Swamy as Siddharth 

This film has that Face/Off type background – two guys, one good one bad, playing out each other to such an extent that at one point you don’t know whether you love the hero or villain. While Mithran’s goals and good heart win your admiration, Siddharth’s debonair portrayal of the villain is way too amazing! He’s everything Tony Stark is – and I mean the style too – but is on the villains’ side. Siddharth is probably the best Tamil movie character of the year! No one can make you so emphatically hate a movie character than this guy, at least among recent films! Jeyam Ravi plays the counterpart, and his acting was excellent too. The way he expresses anger and determination, when Siddharth keeps crushing upon his goal, is something to look out for. Nayantara did a decent job too – it was interesting to see her in a non-romantic role for a change!

Nayantara as Mahima

The story, its loopholes and masala elements apart, is exciting, and paced superbly. The film does not use any of the usual storylines – lover’s father being the villain, or the hero being a poor guy trying for a rich girl or anything like that. The story has a solid foundation, and most it is firm except for a few bits. The twists hit you at just the right moments, and the acting of Ravi and Swamy do the required to hold you in an iron grip. The climax was, in particular, very interesting, especially Siddharth’s part; it was something completely unexpected! The other highlight of the storyline is the punch lines spoken by Mithran and Siddharth, including the latter’s “Love at first sight; kill at first betrayal”.

Thani Oruvan was an enjoyable experience. It wasn’t the greatest film, but it was certainly an unexpected entry into this year’s Kollywood films. Watch the film for Arvind Swamy’s and Ravi’s acting... they make sure that the 155 minutes will not go wasted!

My Rating: 3.5/5