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Maareesan, starring Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu in the lead roles, was released in theatres on July 25, 2025. The pre-release promotions mostly hinted at a buddy road movie vibe. The film received mostly positive critical reception and audience response, reflected in its IMDb rating of 8.2 out of 10. In its first four days, Maareesan managed to gross INR 4.51 crores, resulting in a net collection of 3.83 crores from the Indian domestic market. Did it deserve a better opening weekend? And should you shell out your money to boost its numbers?
Maareesan’s Misses: What Fell Flat
Let’s start with the negatives. The first half is a slow burn, and at times, it has a lot of lag. Then there are the plot holes and the portrayal of police incompetence. The Tamil Nadu police are not as incompetent as shown in the film. But the story demands that level of incompetence. And what about CCTV cameras, surveillance, and notifying the public by issuing wanted posters and other such measures? Where are those in the world of this film? If it was set in the mid-2000s, when feature phones dominated the market and CCTV wasn’t as common, some of these issues could have been explained away.
Maareesan’s Wins: What Totally Clicked
The performances by the cast are where the film truly won the hearts of the audience. For decades, the Tamil film industry wasted Vadivelu’s potential by giving him roles that served only as comic relief and had nothing to do with the main plot. But in recent times, things have changed. He is now showcasing his talent by taking on well-written roles one after another and delivering some of his best performances, surpassing even some superstars in terms of acting.
