Baththa

“Baththa is a wholesome story about the coming-of-age of both a boy and a gangster, said with utmost respect to both of them, giving the young boy as much complexity as films usually impart to adults and treating the gangster with as much empathy as films would a child. The film stands out with its incredible restraint and hawkish grip on its tone, offering whatever you want out of it—a fun commercial family entertainer, a parable on an arrogant man's ego death, or a deep psychological dissection of human experience.”

“Baththa is a film about that realisation, and what it feels to experience kindness. It is also, unexpectedly, one of the most original and humane Tamil films of all time. What makes Baththa work is not one thing. It is everything arriving at the same place at the same time.”

“Baththa works because it gives us something different from what its gangster premise promises. The result is a warm, refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience that leaves you with a smile.”

“With Baththa, Balaji Tharaneetharan once again proves himself one of the most distinctive voices in Tamil cinema today. The film continually subverts expectations and remains consistently fresh and moving throughout, with Vijay Sethupathi wonderful as the gangster and child actor Sai Prithiviraj beautifully capturing the emotional core of the story.”

“Despite some minor flaws, the film is a big surprise package. Such a rollicking fun movie for the most part, the little boy Sai steals the show with nice intent from VJS as well. Excellent writing and executed with utmost conviction by Balaji Tharaneetharan.”

“Baththa works majorly because of Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Prithviraj's brilliant performances. Baththa may have a few rough edges, particularly towards the climax, but its heart is always in the right place. It is a film that makes you laugh, melts your heart and leaves you smiling long after the credits roll.”

“Baththa is aimed at viewers who enjoy unconventional cinema and films that do not follow the usual song, dance and action formula. Despite its slow portions and repetition, Baththa has an interesting premise and some genuinely different moments.”

“Baththa, which starts as any other gangster drama, truly comes to life during this unique, darkly comical inciting incident involving Sabari and Baththa. But in a typical Balaji Tharaneetharan manner, the screenplay makes you both cry and laugh at Baththa. Baththa is necessary today.”

“Baththa is filled with rich characters and richer performances. In a film that is essentially a gradual but seismic undoing of a gangster, we also get an enriching human drama that surprises and inspires in equal measure. Watching Vijay Sethupathi devour the role of a gargantuan man, who is slowly but steadily reduced to a small, gentle giant, is an absolute treat.”