Mandaadi

Mandaadi is a brave attempt by actor Soori and the entire team behind the film. Right from its making, the film stands tall in terms of quality, scale and the effort that has gone into creating its world.

The first half is brilliant, setting up the characters and the world with confidence and keeping the film moving in its own rhythm. The second half is decent, although the flashback portions don’t work as effectively as expected and slightly take away from the impact. Still, the film largely stays true to its own phase instead of trying to rush through its narrative.

And then there is Soori.

From being one of Tamil cinema’s most familiar comedians to becoming a serious leading man, Soori’s acting graph has been genuinely impressive. With films like Viduthalai and Garudan, he has already proved that he can carry intense and challenging characters. Mandaadi takes that journey further. He has entered a zone where it feels difficult to see him simply as the comedian we once knew.

What a performance! His screen presence, intensity and ability to hold the character make him one of the biggest strengths of the film. The supporting actors also do their parts well and add weight to this world.

The boat-racing sequence is a major highlight — thrilling, visually spectacular and one of the moments where the film truly delivers on its scale.

Mandaadi may have its shortcomings, particularly in the flashback and second half, but its ambition, making and performances make it worth experiencing.

This is a world that deserves your time. Good watch.

⭐ Verdict: Worth a watch