Viswasam (Loyalty) is probably an apt title for this latest Ajith-Siva film. For starters, it's to an extent symbolize the impeccable loyalty both of them have on each other. This is their fourth movie in the last 5 years and Siva's fourth consecutive movie as a director - all directing the same leading actor.
Viswasam starts off like every other Siva-Ajith outing - the setting is established, the hero is worshipped without any hint of him being on screen, a glimpse of his body is shown, the music increases multiple folds and finally the face reveal. It was the perfect fitting to 'How to make a hero introduction as generic as possible 101'. The only saving grace of the episode is a rather interesting backshot of Ajith's body getting up from his car and acknowledges everyone who had assembled - it's literally the star saying hello to his fans in the theatre. Nice touch.
Moving to the story, Viswasam doesn’t take much long to get into the plot - which is essentially a family drama between Thookudurai and Niranjana (Nayanthara) who is living separately after a fight, mainly due to their newborn daugther. Almost 10 years later, Thookudurai goes back to Mumbai to look for the wife and be reunited with his daughter Swetha.
For starters, the plot line does come as a major surprise. Many people wouldn’t have bet against this being another hero centric film in where he saves the village from corporate companies (Dhool, Jilla, etc). Thats where Director Siva proves his ability to take on a story that is very far from a typical Ajith fan's imagination and stages it with emotional content.
And there's where exactly Viswasam suffers the most.
The film is loaded with melodramatic moments that it gets tiring to a regular movie goer. Each of the scenes are treated with so much sentimentality that it feels like a soap opera that just couldn’t decide when it wants to end. D.Imman's music doesnt help the proceeding as well with him choosing to play the sad violin background score every time something sad is happening with the scenes. When will we move away from these conventions?
The song placements in the movie is also absolutely amatuerish. The level of naiveness in placing a song every 10 minutes makes a draggy movie even more unbearable to watch. Only 'Kannane Kanne' is worthy of a place in the movie and even that is chopped and used in 2 different parts in the movie.
Nayanthara plays to the gallery in a role that she could sleep walk in and Ankita, who plays the daughter merely extends her role from Yennai Arindhal where she also played Ajith's daughter.
Having comedians alone doesnt guarantee humor and that is proved with the inclusion of Vivek and Kovai Sarala who still thinks they are making comedy tracks for Adithya channel.
The villain, Jagapathi Babu has also probably forgotten the number of movies that he has played the one-note villain similar to what was played in the movie. The level of logic in justifying the motives of the villain is also ridiculous - this is where better writing and screenplay could have saved a somewhat decent plot.
The only saving grace for Viswasam comes in the form of Ajith. The man oozes screen presence and pulls off a rural character rather convincingly. Here's an actor who has acted as an international don as well as a village man and has not looked out of place in either of these roles. Take a bow Ajith.
Having said that, Ajith needs to stop making movies like this to preserve his career. His inability to look beyond the cinema that is directed by Siva is appalling. The type of Vivegam, Vedalam and Veeram -esque films needs to stop if Ajith aspires to build on his humongous stardom. This melodramatic soap opera might please some of the rural audiences but definitely loses the plot in general.
In summary, Viswasam is a long draggy soap opera that is shocking considering the experience of the crew and creative team. Ajith Kumar needs to break this cycle and get on to making quality cinema and better directors to fulfill his incredible talent.