Read the full review of Bairavaa (2017), a Tamil-language masala film starring Vijay and Keerthy Suresh. Does this commercial entertainer hit the right notes or get lost in cliches?
Movie Overview:
Title: Bairavaa
Language: Tamil
Genre: Masala / Action Drama
Release Date: 12 January 2017
Director: Bharathan
Writer: Bharathan, B. Babusivan
Producer: B. Venkatarama Reddy
Production House: Vijaya Productions
Cast: Vijay, Keerthy Suresh, Jagapathi Babu, Daniel Balaji, Sathish, Thambi Ramaiah
Cinematography: M. Sukumar
Editing: Praveen K. L.
Music: Santhosh Narayanan
Box Office: ₹100 crore
Running Time: 171 minutes
Plot Summary:
Bairavaa follows the story of Bairavaa (Vijay), a collection agent for a bank in Chennai who lives by strong principles and values. During a wedding, he meets Malarvizhi (Keerthy Suresh), a medical student with a dark past involving her corrupt college administration. Her dreams are crushed and her father is murdered when she attempts to expose the criminal activities of the college chairman, PK (Jagapathi Babu), a ruthless and powerful figure.
Moved by her plight, Bairavaa decides to take on the corrupt system and fight for justice. What follows is a high-octane mix of action, drama, and socially conscious dialogue, wrapped in the typical masala film template.
Performances:
Vijay is undoubtedly the film’s biggest strength. He carries Bairavaa on his shoulders with style, screen presence, and his usual flair for punch dialogues. His fan-favorite mass hero persona is in full force here, delivering the kind of performance his followers expect — loud, confident, and aggressive when it counts.
Keerthy Suresh plays her part with grace and emotion. While her role is more reactive than proactive, she holds her own in emotional scenes and provides a strong reason for the hero’s transformation.
Jagapathi Babu excels as the villain, portraying PK with menacing ease. His cold, calculating demeanor provides a solid foil to Vijay’s righteous hero. The supporting cast — including Sathish, Thambi Ramaiah, and Daniel Balaji — offer occasional comic relief and dramatic backup, though not all subplots land effectively.
Direction and Screenplay:
Director Bharathan opts for a tried-and-tested formula, packing the screenplay with action, sentiment, romance, and social messages. While the intentions are noble, the execution often feels generic. The film’s pacing suffers in the second half, where predictable twists and repetitive confrontations dilute the intensity.
The screenplay is structurally sound but lacks novelty. Scenes meant to evoke powerful emotions or rousing heroism feel mechanical due to overused tropes. However, Bharathan’s knack for crafting mass moments and Vijay’s delivery of them works to the film’s advantage.
Technical Aspects:
- Cinematography by M. Sukumar captures the grandeur and action well, especially in the chase and fight sequences. The visuals are crisp and colorful, complementing the masala tone.
- Editing by Praveen K. L. is competent, though the film could have benefited from a tighter runtime. Some subplots and comedy tracks feel forced and could have been trimmed.
- Music by Santhosh Narayanan is a mixed bag. While the background score adds energy to the action sequences, the songs, barring a couple, don’t leave a lasting impression. “Pattaya Kelappu” and “Azhagiya Soodaana Poovey” stand out among the soundtrack.
Highlights:
- Vijay’s commanding performance
- Strong villain portrayal by Jagapathi Babu
- Action choreography and mass moments
- Message-driven plot with social relevance
Drawbacks:
- Predictable and formulaic screenplay
- Underwhelming music for a commercial entertainer
- Weak romantic track
- Over-the-top and stretched second half
Box Office Performance:
Despite its flaws, Bairavaa was a commercial success, collecting over ₹100 crore worldwide. It capitalized on Vijay’s star power and Pongal release timing, drawing crowds in both urban and rural centers. However, critical response was mixed, with many pointing out the lack of freshness in storytelling.
Final Verdict:
Bairavaa is a typical masala entertainer that thrives on Vijay’s energy and charisma. It sticks to the commercial template rigidly, delivering what it promises — action, drama, and a dash of social message. While it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking in terms of plot or presentation, it will appeal to fans of the genre and Vijay’s fanbase.
If you’re in the mood for a massy film with a righteous hero, some slick action, and moralistic themes, Bairavaa is a decent one-time watch.
BMR (Best Movie Review) Rating: 6.5/10