Suriya shines in this Subbaraj’s film

Retro

– Review

Suriya gets adopted by Swastika and her gangster husband Joju George. Joju despises Suriya as he is not his kid.

His childhood drama rips off his smile and happiness, leaving him brooding all the time.

When Swastika dies, Suriya is left with no one, but in a quick turn of events, Joju accepts Suriya when he gives first-hand proof of how he can be an A-class henchman.

This whole episode also brings Paari and Pooja Hegde together – both of whom are also grieving the loss of their mother.

14 years later, when Suriya meets Pooja in Coorg, sparks fly. After four years of courtship and several changes in his personality, Suriya is now a transformed man, ready to leave his gangster life behind.

Was Suriya able to continue as the transformed man or did his past catch up with him forms the core plot of the story.

Karthik Subbaraj’s direction is the film’s backbone. He masterfully weaves together the different timelines, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The pacing is deliberate, building tension slowly before unleashing key plot points.

Subbaraj’s handling of the character arcs, particularly Suriya’s, is commendable, showing his internal struggle between his past and present.

Surya delivers a compelling performance and convincingly portrays the character’s nostalgia, confusion, and determination.

He handles the emotional scenes with depth and brings a certain gravitas to the more intense moments. His ability to subtly shift between the character’s different emotional states is a highlight.

Pooja Hegde’s portions have come out well and the actress is seen in a completely different shade. She has carried the role in an impressive manner.

Rest of the supporting cast including Joju George, Jayaraman, Nasser and Vidhu have all done their part well.

The movie is technically sound with Santhosh’s Narayanan’s pulsating songs and BGM.

Shreyaas Krishna’s camera has captured the proceedings in an interesting manner as well.

Rating: 3.75/5

By Naveen