Aaryan

Aaryan Movie Synopsis: A failed writer’s on-air rant kicks off a series of pre-planned murders, forcing a cop to hunt a killer with a perfect plan.

Aaryan Movie Review: The most interesting idea in Aaryan is that its villain's monologue isn't an ending, but the first chapter of his grand, pre-written story. For about 15 minutes, we're in a TV studio with Azhagar (Selvaraghavan), a washed-up writer who hijacks a live broadcast. He rants about his 5-day "serial killing story" and then immediately sets off to prove his point. There's a trace of Se7en here, with a killer obsessed with turning his twisted philosophy into a public sermon. Selvaraghavan is effective in this opening, but soon, the film has to coast on his recorded messages.

This leaves the case for DCP Nambi (Vishnu Vishal), the classic workaholic cop who's so dedicated he's literally in divorce court with his wife (Maanasa Choudhary). The film quickly shifts from a whodunit to a "howdunnit" and then why. We follow Nambi connecting the dots, as Azhagar, like a more literary Jigsaw, has left a trail of pre-recorded videos to taunt the police and announce his next victims.

The plot itself can feel a bit plain as Nambi just follows the trail. The "why" is the most eccentric part. Azhagar’s victims are unsung heroes (a nurse, a soldier, an activist) who society forgot. His psychotic logic is that by killing them, he'll finally make everyone recognize their value. It’s... a stretch, to say the least.

Thankfully, after a draggy start, Aaryan pulls itself together in the second half. The "how" of the murders and the ticking clock deliver some genuinely racy, interesting thrills. Vishnu Vishal carries the film well, and the finale, which traps him in the killer's story, is well-staged. Shraddah Srinath plays an effective TV host embroiled in the criminal plot. A steady thriller, albeit the social cause felt like a forced final chapter.

Written By: Abhinav Subramanian