Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Cast: Ajith Kumar, Trisha Krishnan, Arjun, Regina
Run Time: 2 hours 34 minutes
Release Date: 6th February 2025
Genre: Action, Thriller
After a two-year gap, Thala Ajith has finally returned to the big screen with Pattudala (originally titled “Vidaamuyarchi” in Tamil), With back-to-back failures in his recent films, fans have been eagerly waiting for him to make a strong comeback. Does Pattudala give Ajith the success he desperately needs? Let’s find out!
Story
The film begins with Arjun (Ajith) and Kayal (Trisha) on a road trip to Kayal’s parents’ house. Through flashbacks, we see how they met 12 years ago, fell in love, and got married. However, things take a shocking turn when kayal confesses her affair and asks for a divorce. Until the legal process is complete, she decides to stay with her parents, and Arjun agrees to drop her off—marking their final journey together.
During their trip, they cross paths with Deepika (Regina Cassandra) and her husband Rakshith (Arjun Sarja) at a petrol bunk. Soon after, their car breaks down, and Rakshith offers to help, taking Kayal to a nearby restaurant while Arjun stays back to fix the car. But when Arjun arrives at the restaurant, Kayal is missing.
Who are Rakshith and Deepika? What happened to Kayal? How does Arjun uncover the truth? To know the answers, you have to watch the movie!
Performance
Ajith Kumar delivers a commendable performance as Arjun, effortlessly carrying the film on his shoulders. His intense expressions, body language, and action sequences add depth to his character, making him the heart of the film. Despite the screenplay’s occasional flaws, Ajith’s presence keeps the audience invested.
Trisha, as Kayal, does a decent job in the emotional scenes, portraying the complexities of her character convincingly. Though her screen time is limited, she makes her presence felt. Regina Cassandra shines in her role, delivering a strong and impactful performance that adds weight to the narrative. Arjun Sarja, plays a crucial role and brings the required intensity to the film.
Analysis
Pattudala starts at a slow pace, focusing on Arjun and Kayal’s journey, their past, and Kayal’s confession. However, these scenes lack emotional depth and fail to connect with the audience. Even during the road trip, nothing engaging happens until the interval, where a few twists make it somewhat interesting.
The second half continues in the same dull manner, lacking emotional impact and testing the audience’s patience. Despite having a promising premise, the film falls flat due to weak execution. The director fails to handle the narrative effectively, making the film feel lifeless.
Ajith remains the only saving grace, keeping the film afloat with his performance, but beyond that, Pattudala turns into a forgettable experience.
Verdict
Overall, Pattudala is a below-average, mediocre action drama that fails to deliver either thrills or emotional depth. The weak screenplay and lackluster execution make it a forgettable experience for both Ajith fans and general audiences. Despite Ajith’s solid performance, the film doesn’t offer much, making it a disappointing watch.
Rating: 2/5
