Maareesan Movie Review: Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu Shine in This Soul-Stirring Tamil Road Thriller

Yesterday, I watched Maareesan—and I still haven’t fully recovered. I walked into the theatre expecting a fun ride with two powerhouse performers. What I got was so much more. This film doesn’t just entertain—it stays with you, long after the credits roll.

A Film That Starts With Smiles

The movie opens with a light, feel-good vibe. Fahadh Faasil (FaFa) plays Dhaya, a clever thief just out of jail. He lands up at the house of Velayudham Pillai, an elderly man with Alzheimer’s, played by the legendary Vadivelu. From that point, their lives intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Dhaya cons his way into pretending to be Velayudham’s son—but instead of just robbing him, he ends up on a road trip that changes everything.

At first, I was laughing at the little quirks—the mistaken identities, the confusion, the clever dialogue. It felt like a laid-back buddy movie. The vibe? Pure gold. You think you’ve settled in for a heartwarming drama with laughs sprinkled in.

Then It Pulls You In… Deeper and Deeper

Halfway through, Maareesan begins to shift gears. The feel-good journey takes a turn—and not the kind you expect. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say this: the emotional beats get heavier, and suddenly, you’re not watching a comedy anymore. You’re watching a man confront the weight of his choices, and another man relive the ghosts of his past.

And this is where the film truly got me. It transitions from smiles to silence. From laughter to tears. From a road trip to a soul-searching ride.

Vadivelu and FaFa: What. A. Combo.

Vadivelu’s performance in Maareesan? Unreal. He’s vulnerable, unpredictable, and hauntingly real as Velayudham. He had me tearing up in moments where I expected to laugh. Watching him act out Alzheimer’s with such honesty—it’s nothing like we’ve seen from him before. This isn’t the usual slapstick Vadivelu. This is an actor showing us the rangehe’s always had.

And FaFa? My respect for him just went up tenfold. The way he plays Dhaya—with a mix of charm, sarcasm, confusion, and deep emotional turmoil—he doesn’t perform, he lives the role. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Yuvan’s Music Elevates Every Scene

Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score plays like a silent character in the film—guiding the emotional highs and lows. The “Maareesa” track is still looping in my head. It’s not just background music—it’s emotional narration. It lifts the story without overwhelming it.

Cinematic Beauty, Layered Emotions

From Nagercoil to Coimbatore to Tiruvannamalai, the film takes us through stunning visuals and emotional flashbacks. Kalaiselvan Sivaji’s cinematography is on point. Each frame feels like a painting—warm, intimate, and filled with subtext. There’s something poetic about the landscapes they cross, almost as if the land itself is watching them grow and unravel.

What Stayed With Me

What hit me the most was the unpredictability. I genuinely didn’t expect the climax. It shook me. There’s a scene near the end that felt like a punch to the gut—not because it was dramatic, but because it was real.

This isn’t a film that ties everything up in a neat bow. It leaves threads hanging—just like life. And that’s why I can’t release it from my mind. Even today, scenes keep replaying in my head. Their faces. Their silences. The last 15 minutes are devastatingly good.

Final Verdict: Maareesan is a Must-Watch

This film is not your average entertainer. It’s a slow-burn emotional drama hidden under the mask of a comedy. If you’re looking for loud action or superficial drama, skip it. But if you’re open to watching something soul-stirring, unconventional, and truly original—Maareesan is a ride worth taking.

My Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
Watch it for: Performances, music, writing, and emotional honesty.

Streaming Info

Maareesan is currently in theatres. It’s expected to release on Netflix by late August 2025. If you can, please watch it on the big screen. It’s an experience.

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