Intro:
The Tamil-language crime thriller Aaryan, directed by Praveen K. and starring Vishnu Vishal in the lead, arrives riding the momentum of a teaser that promises grit and foreboding. The supporting cast—including Selvaraghavan, Shraddha Srinath and Tarak Ponnappa—adds credibility and weight to a story that aims to be more than mere thrills.
Plot:
A shadowy figure (Selvaraghavan) disrupts a live TV show, names his imminent murder victim and then turns the weapon on himself—ushering in a chilling countdown of five more planned murders. Enter Vishnu Vishal as a police officer assigned to unravel the mystery of this twisted sequence, diving into layers of deception, mental strain and unexpected revelations. What begins as a taut ticking-clock thriller gradually drifts into murky territory where motive and morality both blur.
Performance & Direction:
Vishnu Vishal gives earnest effort as the investigating cop, bringing the necessary intensity—but his character suffers from weak writing and one-dimensional traits. Selvaraghavan, on the other hand, delivers the most intriguing work thanks to a more fleshed-out antagonist role. Director Praveen K. handles the film with a visual and atmospheric flair—especially in the early scenes—but is let down by a screenplay that dwells too long in repetition and moral ambiguity.
What Works:
The opening acts engage: the premise is fresh, the setup promising.
Strong visuals: the night sequences, the tension in the live-studio moment, the framing of the investigation all raise the craft bar.
At times, the chase and mystery feel genuinely tense, and the film avoids going the loud-action route.
What Doesn’t:
The narrative loses steam as it progresses, with key character motivations becoming fuzzy.
The protagonist’s investigative arc lacks bite: too often the cop reacts rather than drives the story.
The social message and themes feel tacked on, especially in the finale, diluting the thriller’s impact.
The moral logic of the “killer’s plan” is questionable enough to pull you out of the moment.
Final Words:
Aaryan had the components of a standout crime-thriller—an original hook, strong mid-cast performances and a dark texture. Sadly, its ambitions are undermined by uneven writing and a message that feels both heavy-handed and vague. If you go in expecting a razor-sharp thriller in the vein of something like Ratsasan, you may end up disappointed; but if you’re willing to enjoy the ride for its style and early promise, there’s enough here to make the outing worthwhile.
