AR Murugadoss’ Madrasi (Madharaasi in Tamil), released on September 5, 2025 is a big departure for Sivakarthikeyan; he sheds his boy next door image for a gritty and psychologically complex role in this action thriller. Starring Rukmini Vasanth, Vidyut Jammwal and Biju Menon the film promises a high octane action, romance and psychological drama. While Madrasi has thrilling moments and Sivakarthikeyan shows his versatility, the uneven screenplay and over dependence on familiar tropes prevents it from reaching its potential.
The story is about an ordinary man who gets into the dangerous world of gun smuggling in Tamil Nadu. As a tough police officer chases a ruthless arms syndicate, Sivakarthikeyan’s character, who has a fractured mind, gets entangled in the criminal underworld when his lover Rukmini Vasanth gets caught in the crossfire. His internal struggle – love, trauma and violence – is the emotional core of the film set against the backdrop of high octane action and moral conflict. The premise, which blends psychological depth with mass appeal, sets high expectations, but the execution falters in parts.
Sivakarthikeyan is the star of the show, delivering a career best performance as a man torn between vulnerability and anger. Known for his lighthearted roles in Ethir Neechal and Doctor, he owns this darker, action packed avatar with ease, excels in both fight sequences and emotional breakdowns. He’s intense, especially in the interval block, proving he can carry a mass hero role with ease. Rukmini Vasanth, as the romantic lead, brings warmth and chemistry to the scenes, but her character is underutilized and reduced to a pawn in the second half. Vidyut Jammwal, as the antagonist, returns to Tamil cinema and oozes menace; his physicality adds to the action, and Biju Menon as the supporting character adds gravity. The rest of the cast, including Vikranth and Shabeer Kallarakkal, are good but don’t have any standout moments.
Murugadoss, who is known for his hits like Ghajini and Thuppakki, brings his signature action and social commentary. The first half is a highlight, the cat and mouse chase is well paced and stylishly shot by Sudeep Elamon. The introduction fight and interval block are explosive, shows Murugadoss’ ability to create mass moments. But the second half is a letdown, relies on predictable hero centric drama and a dragged out romance track that disrupts the flow. The psychological elements are interesting but under explored and the love story lacks the emotional depth to anchor the high octane action. Fans of Murugadoss’ earlier films may notice the echoes of Thuppakki and Kaththi in the story, but Madrasi doesn’t quite match their narrative polish.
Technically, the film is a mixed bag. Sudeep Elamon’s cinematography is slick and larger than life; the Chennai and Pondicherry shots are vibrant. Dhilip Subbarayan and Kevin Kumar’s action choreography is a highlight; the stunts are well executed and amplify Sivakarthikeyan’s mass appeal. But Anirudh Ravichander’s music is a let down. The background score is intense but lacks the punch of his past collaborations with Murugadoss, like Kaththi. The songs are inserted into the romantic subplot and feel like momentum killers. A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing could have been sharper, especially in the second half, which is bloated and stretches the 168 minute runtime.
Madrasi shines when it leans into the action thriller genre, Sivakarthikeyan’s performance and Murugadoss’ spectacle carrying the film through its weaker parts. The gun culture and psychological conflict is ambitious, but the screenplay relies on routine tropes and an over stretched romance dilutes the impact. For Sivakarthikeyan fans, it’s a must watch for his bold transformation and screen presence. For action fans, the stylish set pieces and Jammwal’s villainous turn is enough. But those looking for a tightly woven narrative or deep emotional resonance may find Madrasi a watchable but flawed entertainer. It’s a decent comeback for Murugadoss after Sikandar, but not his best work.