Ajith's charisma and Anirudh's music carry a thin, by-the-numbers script.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Vedalam was mixed-to-lukewarm, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a functional but formulaic mass entertainer built around Ajith Kumar's star power. Several critics noted that the film rests almost entirely on Ajith's screen presence and crowd-pleasing appeal, with a predictable plot and no meaningful departure from his established hero template. Where praise existed, it was directed at Anirudh's music, the cinematography, and the brother-sister emotional thread. Common criticisms included the derivative and logic-deficient script, an overly loud filmmaking style, and the marginalisation of supporting performers including Shruti Haasan, whose role multiple critics found superfluous.
3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Film review ·
Though loaded with fantastical commercial elements catering to Ajith's mass hero image, the decent plot, stunning music by Anirudh and spectacular visuals captured by cinematographer Vetri make director Siva's Vedalam an enjoyable Diwali treat...
Film review ·
If you have seen Siva's previous films — Siruthai and Veeram — you will have a fair idea of what to expect in Vedalam. He is beginning to make a career out of films that are extremely loud and incredibly gratuitous, and his filmmaking style mainly involves ramped up camera moves, frenzied cuts, and over-the-top acting with an ear-splittingly loud background score for company.
Film review ·
When there is a mass hero, action comes along like his shadow and Vedalam has its fair share of 'thiruvizha' action moments resulting from the revenge theme of the film. There are three hunky villains falling into the commercial cinema template completely.
Film review ·
This movie is an out and out commercial entertainer. Director Siruthai Siva has ensured that there is plenty for Ajith fans and the family audience. Ajith has punch dialogues, high octane action sequences and all the right dance moves. He plays the good and the bad with ease and is a treat to watch on screen.
Film review ·
If you are okay with a movie with an invincible hero, who can take down 20 or 30 men at a time and if you can put up with an overdose of sentiment, then you can like Vedalam. And don't bother about that frame during the end credits which says that the film is dedicated to all women. It has nothing to do with the film whatsoever. Seems like Siva has used it as an answer to all those who ask, "But what is the takeaway from the film?"
Film review ·
As much as I would like to praise Ajith as an actor, I would really need to criticise how he chooses his scripts. For Vedalam has nothing new to offer to the actor, other than tap on his already popular mass image. Though the teaser of the film and (even the title) gave us a slight hint of some supernatural stuff or split personality stuff, there is nothing of that sort in the film. Ajith's character is like any typical massy Tamil hero – he is an indestructible killing machine, for whom swords, hockey sticks, guns and 100 goons don't matter
Film review ·
The Ajith starrer Diwali blockbuster Vedalam largely depends on the mass appeal and star power of the actor with a script sans solid content and logic and just tailor-made by for him. Though the story travels in predictable lines, it has high-octane stunt sequences, bro-sis sentiment, and loads of punch lines, hit songs to satisfy the mass audiences.
Film review ·
When things that are commendable are few and far between, it's not an easy watch. For all the "Aaluma Doluma" about 'Vedalam', the impact is just about a fingerprint. There isn't enough strength in it to pack a punch.
Film review ·
At 157 minutes, Vedalam is but an Ajith Kumar show (all the way where Menon and Haasan are wasted). The man arrives with a big bang and never tires of bashing up baddies -- but now and then taking a break to cleanse society of minor evils like fooling law courts or cheating on wives. Certainly not for children, who might wonder how Phantom sprung out of their favourite comic books in such a horrifically mutated form.
Film review ·
Beautifully crafted with enough emotion, family values and loads of action — Vedalam also has a beautiful message for all of India's young men: respect women enough to ensure they feel safe anywhere. The brother-sister bond is the highlight of this masala film and we were left teary-eyed on many occasions.
Film review ·
Vedhalam is yet another template mass masala film with few well etched out action sequences and feel-good moments but most of the time, the ship rests on the broad shoulders of Ajith, who single handedly makes us sit through the predictable potboiler.
Film review ·
The time-tested I'll-abduct-your-close-ones method was after all used in a film like Run, that released 13 years ago. And oh, somebody should really tell filmmakers that it's completely all right to not cast a heroine when she has nothing substantial to do, like Shruti Haasan in this film. In comparison, Nagma's seems like a plum role in Baasha. And that's saying something.
From our readers
3 ratings · user score 8.0
movie is very nice and sentiment
Credits
Ajith KumarDharani
Shruti HaasanRani Lakshmi Bai
Lakshmi MenonVasuki
SooriFly
Thambi Ramaiah
Rahul DevKattapa
Vidyullekha Raman
Bala Saravanan
Swaminathan
Rajendran
Kabir Duhan SinghVictor
Anirudh Ravichander
Vetri
Vasu Vikram
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