Movie: Amaran
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Raj Kamal Films and Sony Pictures
Cast: Sivkarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Bhuvan Arora, Rahul Bose, and others
Music: G V Prakash Kumar
DOP: CH Sai
Action: Anbariv, Stefan Richter
Editor: R. Kalaivannan
Production designer: Rajeevan
Produced by: Kamal Haasan, Sony Pictures, R. Mahendran
Written and directed by: Rajkumar Periasamy
Release Date: Oct 31, 2024
Amaran has successfully generated buzz, inspired by the life of a legendary Indian soldier. The trailer struck an emotional chord, and with Sai Pallavi as the heroine, the Telugu version has also received a positive response.
Let’s find out if the film is equally engaging.
Story:
Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan) meets Indhu Rebecca Varghese (Sai Pallavi) at a college in Chennai, and they fall in love. Despite strong opposition from Indhu's parents, they eventually marry.
After being promoted to Major, Mukund takes command of the 44th Rashtriya Rifles in the Indian Army. He undertakes counterterrorism operations in Kashmir, devising plans to eliminate the leaders of a terrorist organization there. The rest of the story follows Mukund’s successful mission to eliminate the terrorists, despite sustaining severe injuries, and Indhu’s courageous support.
Artistes’ Performances:
Sivakarthikeyan, known until now for his comedy and family-man roles, reveals a new side of his acting abilities. He is outstanding as Major Mukund Varadarajan, doing full justice to the role and showcasing a broad range of expressions, from lover boy to army major.
Sai Pallavi, a highly talented actress, captures numerous poignant moments with her natural performance. The chemistry between Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi is heartwarming.
The actors playing Mukund’s parents are very natural in their roles. Bhuvan Arora, who plays Sepoy Vikram Singh, delivers a convincing portrayal, while Rahul Bose, as Mukund’s superior, provides yet another excellent performance.
Technical Excellence:
The film is set against the scenic backdrop of Kashmir and other areas of military activity, with strong visuals throughout. Cinematographer CH Sai has wonderfully captured Kashmir and the battle sequences.
Composer GV Prakash failed to enhance the mood of the film with his poor BGM.
Highlights:
The emotional narrative
The sequences between the lead pair
The authentic military sequences
Climax
Drawback:
Not gripping at certain places
Music
Analysis
We are accustomed to biographical films about brave Indian soldiers who died in action and films depicting various battles of the Indian Army. Recently, Adivi Sesh presented the patriotic film Major, based on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who lost his life in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Amaran tells the story of Major Mukund Varadarajan’s courageous life. In 2014, Major Mukund Varadarajan, a member of the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, lost his life while fighting militants in Kashmir. So, what’s unique about this film?
While Major focused on the romance between a soldier and his wife along with his heroics during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Amaran similarly explores these themes, but with a greater emphasis on the family life of soldiers, creating a more emotional narrative.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy skillfully balances the army man’s battle sequences with family emotions. The story is narrated by the major’s wife, Indhu.
From the very first scene, the film centers on both Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, who play Mukund and Indhu, respectively.
The first half delves into Mukund's journey to join the army, how he meets his future wife, and the opposition they face from her parents. The love story is heartwarming, and as the film approaches the interval, it shifts to an impressive battle sequence.
The second half focuses on Mukund's life as a married man, with his wife constantly worrying about his safety while he serves far away from home. At the same time, it chronicles Mukund's elimination of top terrorists and his eventual martyrdom.
The performances of Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi make these episodes resonate deeply. Director Rajkumar Periasamy maintains a firm grip on the narrative throughout.
Though some battle sequences in the second half feel somewhat simple and familiar, the emotional depth sustains the film’s impact.
In a nutshell, Amaran is a heartfelt tribute to Major Mukund. Even though the ending is known, the director effectively delivers the right emotions. Despite the predictable story and structure, the emotional weight and patriotic theme make it a compelling watch.
Bottom line: A Fitting Tribute