Suriya Retro Movie Review
Suriya’s ‘unfashionable’ Blends Emotion and Violence in an elegant but choppy Gangster Drama
via [Your Name], leisure table | might also additionally 1, 2025
Tamil cinema’s dynamic duo — actor Suriya and filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj — come together for the highly anticipated motion drama Unfashionable, and the end result is a formidable, style-bending check. With immoderate expectancies, the use of on the shoulders of every star and the director, unfashionable affords lovely visuals and powerful performances; however, its formidable storytelling every so often gets tangled in its private complexity.
Set against a vintage, stylised backdrop, Unfashionable introduces us to Paarivelkannan (played by Suriya), a mysterious and brooding orphan with a trident-shaped birthmark on his chest. Deserted as an infant, Paari finds a famous safe haven in the home of gangster Thilagan (Joju George) and his compassionate spouse, Sandhya (Aishwarya Lekshmi). This adoptive bond gadgets the muse for an emotionally charged first half.
While tragedy strikes and Sandhya dies, a younger and traumatised Paari grows into a ruthless henchman under Thilagan’s command. Over the years, Paari earns a fearsome popularity inside the violent world of organised crime. But the future throws a twist when he suddenly crosses paths with his adolescent love, Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), sparking a choice for redemption and a fresh start.
What follows is an internal tug-of-struggle as Paari struggles to go away in the back of a life soaked in blood, thinking whether or not he can truly break out of the shadows of his beyond. Can love undo years of violence? Can a man so feared ever be forgiven?
Ambition vs. Execution
Karthik Subbaraj, known for his unique narrative fashion and flair for style cinema, tries to fuse a couple of factors in retro — gangster grit, emotional drama, romantic longing, and a dash of mythological symbolism. And on the other hand, as every thread is compelling on its very own right, the movie from time to time falters in bringing all of it together cohesively.
The first half of the film is emotionally wealthy and tightly paced. The scenes between young Paari and his adoptive mother, Sandhya, are heartfelt and set a strong emotional centre. The transition from innocence to violence is dealt with care and cinematic intensity.
However, the second half turns into weighed down by means of philosophical dialogues and an overabundance of subplots. numerous new characters enter the fray without being completely fleshed out, and flashbacks start to gradual the momentum. The story, which starts off grounded and excessive, turns into more and more fragmented.
Suriya’s Commanding Presence
no matter its narrative stumbles, retro is held collectively through Suriya’s magnetic performance. As Paari, he balances brutality and vulnerability with outstanding ease. in one second, he’s a fierce enforcer; in the subsequent, a person looking for emotional solace. His eyes do a splendid deal of the talking, conveying guilt, rage, and longing to same degree.
Joju George additionally leaves a sturdy impact as Thilagan, bringing a quiet depth to the role of the law lord who becomes some aspect of a father figure. Pooja Hegde, at the same time as sleek and sincere, is permitted down by using a function that feels underutilised regardless of its narrative importance.
Fashion That Speaks
Real to its name, Unfashionable dazzles with its visuals. Cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna paints the display screen with sepia tones, dramatic lighting fixtures, and gradual-motion motion sequences that echo the fashion of conventional gangster flicks. Santhosh Narayanan’s song heightens the emotional and dramatic beats, with the historic past score being one of the film’s largest assets.
very last Verdict
Unfashionable isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a brave one. It takes dangers in storytelling and explores complicated feelings in a style that often leans totally on motion. whilst its narrative from time to time loses grip, the movie is elevated by using manner of strong performances, a thoughtful path, and a hauntingly stylish presentation.
Source: India Today
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