Jobaaj Stories
Vidaamuyarchi, starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha, tells the story of a married couple, Arjun and Kayal, who have been living in Baku, Azerbaijan for 12 years. Arjun is a successful businessman, and Kayal is a homemaker. Though they were once deeply in love, the monotony of their marriage has caused a rift. When Kayal experiences a miscarriage, the emotional distance between them widens, and Arjun is strangely calm when he finds out about her affair. Eventually, they decide to divorce, and Kayal wants to visit her parents in Tbilisi. Arjun accompanies her on a road trip, hoping for a peaceful farewell.
The couple’s trip takes a dramatic turn when their car breaks down, and they meet a Tamil couple, Rakshith and Deepika. As the story unfolds, Kayal disappears, leaving Arjun frantic and desperate to find her.
The film’s pace is slow in the first half, focusing on the couple's strained relationship. The romantic moments feel subdued and unexciting, and the buildup to the main action is stretched too long. Once the second half kicks in, the action picks up, and we see a more frantic and determined Arjun, which adds some thrill to the film.
Directed by Magizh Thirumeni, Vidaamuyarchi is a remake of the 1997 Hollywood film Breakdown, staying mostly faithful to the original. While the movie does not follow typical Tamil film conventions like comedy or song-and-dance sequences, it brings a fresh approach to Ajith’s usual style, showcasing him in a more restrained role.
The film’s pacing drags at times, and there are unnecessary scenes that could have been cut to make the story more engaging. However, Ajith's performance is refreshing, and Trisha fits her role perfectly. Arjun Sarja and Regina Cassandra are good in their roles, but the characters of Rakshith and Deepika could have been developed more.
Technically, the film is visually impressive with stunning drone shots, though the music by Anirudh is underwhelming, and the background score fails to add much to the tension. The editing could have been tighter, especially in the action sequences.
In conclusion, Vidaamuyarchi offers a new genre experience for Ajith’s fans and Tamil audiences. While it’s not without its flaws, the film’s unique approach and Ajith’s performance make it an interesting watch.
