Chekka Chivantha Vaanam Movie Review: A Vintage Mani Ratnam is Back in This Arvind Swami, STR, Jyothika, Vijay Sethupathi-Starrer, Claim Critics

Mani Ratnam returning to form is a great news to any movie buff who has grown up on his cinema. The man who gave us masterpieces like Mouna Ragam, Roja, Nayagan, Thalapathi, Bombay, Kannathil Muthamithal, Pallavi Anu Pallavi, Guru, Alai Payuthey and even the underrated Dil Se, is a legend in Indian cinema. However, the veteran film-maker has been going through a rough patch of late. His Raavan, Kadal and Kaatru Veliyidai were box office failures. OK Kanmani was a success, but it wasn't a vintage Mani Ratnam movie. Chekka Chivantha Vaanam First Look: Mani Ratnam and Simbu's Next Film's Poster Unveiled.

However, it feels like we have our old Mani Ratnam magic back on screen. That's what we can deduce from the review of his latest film, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. A gangster drama with an ensemble cast, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam stars Prakash Raj, Arvind Swami, Jyothika, STR aka Simbu, Vijay Sethupathi, Arun Vijay, Aishwarya Rajesh, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Dayana Erappa. Here's what popular websites are saying about the film. Mani Ratnam Birthday Special: From Rajinikanth's Thalapathy to R Madhavan's Alaipayuthey, 5 Classics Made By The Legend That Can Be Rewatched for Eternity!

Scroll says, "Apart from every other film about sibling rivalry and fratricidal violence, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam pays a clever tribute to Akira Kurosawa, one of Ratnam’s favourite directors. The hat-tip to one of Kurosawa’s greatest films is subtle, but it has a strong influence on the way in which the chips fall. The biggest clue lies in the title, even though the events in the film prove to be ice-blue rather than crimson-red."

Indian Express says, "Chekka Chivantha Vaanam feels like the work of a fresh director with an impressive understanding about the craft of filmmaking. It could be because auteur Mani Ratnam has made a violent film after a very long time. It could also be because it is a straightforward movie, in which he has highly favored words to images."

BehindWoods says, "Arvind Swami as Varadan is simply superb. His effortless performance defines his character very well. Arun Vijay, lately, has proven his acting talent and CCV is no less. So much swag, carried with ease. Prakash Raj, though it is a minor role in terms of screen time, does his bit well. Jaya Sudha and Jyothika have ample scope for performance, and their experience in such roles comes in handy. Their performances deserve praise. However, the screen time for Aishwarya Rajesh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Dayana Erappa is quite less. Without doubt, the show stealers are STR and Vijay Sethupathi. Their characters have been etched in such a way that they don't need to pressurize themselves to deliver their best. Once again, they prove that they are splendid performers. CCV will surely be a landmark in STR's career. VJS brings some lightness to a story that predominantly deals with life and death."

FirstPost says, "Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (CCV) lives up to the hype and expectations created by the trailer cuts. It’s a vintage Ratnam film, which concentrates more on the story than the gloss. The director does full justice to his cast comprising multiple stars; every star in the film has their moment under the spotlight without going overboard. The script is structured in a way that it is plot-driven and there is perfect balance between the screen time allotted to each actor."

Have you seen Chekka Chivantha Vaanam? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2018 10:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).