Review by SivakumarBalachandran

Watched Aarambam aka Thala 53 (referred title still post production). Aarambam comes a Diwali treat for Ajith fans. It is a usual revenge story that's been going in Tamil cinema for decades. But the fact is it is stylishly presented by the director Vishnuvardhan with his own favorite team of actors. The story is loosely woven around revenge, corruption, terrorism, betrayal, sentiments, Politics and holes in Police department. If we link up all we get is the story which is no way new to us but definitely the director has tried to keep the fast pace throughout the movie though it has got drag moments in the second half. The first half was racy and engaging definitely. Coming to the performances obliviously with no doubt that this is a "Thala"mass movie, so Ajith kumar as Ashok kumar becomes the show stealer has done it very well. No doubt he looked enthusiastic and stylish with his salt and pepper but it was not maintained even throughout the movie sometimes he was looking fat and sometimes muscular. Nayanthara second movie after her come back has given us a power packed performance as Ajith's accomplice with her usual billa type glam sham rendition. Aarya as a jolly out of college hacker has shown us his humor shade throughout the movie which indeed keeps us entertaining. Tapsee looks cute was helpful in keeping the humor line engaged with Aarya as baby- baby lover. Apart from this we have so many support actors Atul gulkarni, Kishore, Rana Dugabatti everyone has done justice to their roles. Technically the story didn't have any creativeness and cannot be compared to Billa or Mankatha. The fact is Ajith playing anti hero role throughout all these franchise movies. Music was so average the songs were place badly didn't help the movie. Cinematography was done well. Verdict: Overall it comes as a stylish but usual revenge tale with lots of charisma and definitely keeps you engaged apart from its drags and logic holes on the second half. No doubt it was above Billa 2 but below Mankatha and Billa 1. Worth watch once and for core Ajith fans they get more than what they expected.

-Reviewed by Sivakumar Balachandran (bsiva84@gmail.com)