Veeram

"Veeram" (2014) is a Tamil action comedy romance film written and directed by Siva. The movie stars Ajith Kumar and Tamannaah Bhatia and is about a fearless individual who chooses to renounce violence for the sake of love, only to confront more challenges in defending his lover's family.

Vinayagam (Ajith Kumar) lives in Oddanchatram with his four younger brothers: Murugan (Bala), Shanmugham (Vidharth), Kumaran (Suhail Chandhok), and Senthil (Munish). Given to resolving matters with fists, they end up in the court a lot, aided by their offbeat lawyer, Perumaal (Santhanam). While Vinayagam opposes marriage to keep their relationship intact, his brothers secretly have girlfriends. They come to know about his schoolgirl crush, Koperundevi (Tamannaah Bhatia), now married, and cleverly present him with a different woman with the same name. Vinayagam falls for her. He also clashes with a local rowdy, Vanangamudi, over market control and drives him out of town. On a train journey to Koperundevi’s village, he protects her family from an attack, shocking her, as she believes he is non-violent. Hurt by the truth, she asks him to stay away.

Still in love, Vinayagam and his brothers head to her village disguised as peaceful men. The family of Koperundevi, headed by her father, Nallasivam (Nassar), a firm advocate of non-violence, welcomes them. In the meantime, a criminal, Aadalarasu (John Kokken), threatens the family for some past animosity. Vinayagam surreptitiously repels the attacks without disclosing the truth. But when a weapon is discovered in his jeep, he is compelled to leave the village. Aadalarasu kidnaps Kumaran, and a fierce battle ensues between him and Vinayagam. In spite of severe injuries, Vinayagam beats Aadalarasu and gains the trust of Nallasivam. Finally, Nallasivam acquiesces to the wedding, and the tale concludes with the brothers being wedded in a grand celebration.

"Veeram" is a light entertainer with family bonding, romance, and action combined. Ajith Kumar acts convincingly in a mass-hero character, toggling between comedy and sentiment. The village backdrop, catchy numbers, and rapid-fire fight choreography make it a complete family film. The narration is stereotypical and predictable, but the good screen presence of the lead actor and the engaging screenplay keep the viewers entertained throughout.