Amaran is one of the most eagerly awaited films of this year, but unlike the other ‘big’ films that were released earlier, this one goes beyond the hype. It delivers what it promises, it’s a refreshing action film that could be one of Sivakarthikeyan’s best performances to date.
The story is narrated by Major Mukund’s wife, Indu, and that is why the tonality of the narration shifts between action and drama, giving you sighs of relief after a major shootout or a heavy action sequence. The movie starts with how the two meet, fall in love and convince their parents to get married, all with a dollop of conflict and drama here and there but tugging at your heartstrings nonetheless. He is the focused Army officer who has dreamt of the uniform since childhood. Indu is the young, bubbly, understanding wife who is as emotional inside as she is strong on the outside. Their love story is magical, you are immediately rooting for this beautiful couple.
Yes, there are no surprises here, we know the story, we know how it unfolds and we see that we are going to be heartbroken at the end. Sivakarthekayan as Major Mukund played the role with utmost balance, he is a doting father but a fearsome leader, he is a dutiful son but can destroy someone in a hand-to-hand battle. The portrayal also shows us how a hero in a film could be shown as vengeful yet sensitive, fierce yet compassionate. It’s the performance that keeps you hooked throughout the film.
Moviegoers are appreciating good stories and performances over the hullabaloo of ‘big stars’. One can’t fool audiences by promising a stellar star cast and delivering a below-average film. They are genuinely interested in watching story-driven narratives, whether they guarantee masala, comedy, action, romance or not. And especially when it comes to drawing them into a theatre. Movies like Amaran sought to get their due. It isn’t overly dramatised, it’s very true to the original story, but the performances, the emotional depth, the sincere chemistry between the actors, all this shines through.
Patriotic films can get preachy or go a little overboard with their portrayal. Here, the story is the hero, Major Mukund Varadarajan was truly a man of his word, a brave soldier who lived a short but great life. The glorification of heroism is kept to a minimum we see a humble hero.
It is about a time when terrorism was at its absolute worst. People might argue that the movie is trying to show people from a particular community to be villains, yet again. But one should also remember, that this isn’t fiction. It’s a true story, of the state of affairs in Kashmir, and of the rise of terrorist groups in the area.
The movie is elevated by GV Prakash’s music. The songs are already a popular hit among audiences but the background score deserves a special mention as well. The cinematography captures the untouched beauty of Kashmir. The lens seamlessly shifts from the raw and gentle topography to the action and adrenaline-filled sequences.
Everyone in the film brings a heartfelt authenticity to their character, whether it is Mukund’s mother, played by Geetha Kailasam, Indhu’s father, played by Shyamaprasad Rajagopal, Sepoy Vikram Singh, played by Bhuvan Arora.
In conclusion, Sivakarthekyan and Sai Pallavi starrer Amaran is a well-executed biopic brought to justice by Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi’s performances.
Rating : 4 /5
