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Critics Review
3.00
Aaranya Kaandam bypasses gangster cliches.
Easily among the movie's biggest strengths is its music (Yuvan Shankar Raja). P S Vinod's camera work is completely convincing; several of the shots increase the dramatic effect. Praveen K L and Shrikanth N B's editing is slick. On the downside, Aaranya Kaandam does suffer from a few drawbacks: the plot of the movie is not new and predictable. The pace is a bit uneven. Still, Thiagarajan Kumararaja's quirky, zany characters take a life of their own, and appeal to you with their freshness. (more)
Source: Pavithra Srinivasan, Rediff.com
3.50
Violent and different.
First thing first-Aaranya Kaandam is something different in style and presentation. Debutant director Thiagarajan Kumararaja with the backing of his producer SP Charan has come out with Tamil cinema's first neo-noir film. It moves like a thriller with an underlining moral code. Kumararaja deserves a pat for taking the road less traveled, though it is full of blood and gore. But be warned- It the most violent and bloody film ever to get through Chennai regional censors. (more)
Source: MovieBuzz, Sify.com
3.50
Intelligently made gangster flick.
It is hard to believe that AK is the maiden directorial venture of Kumararaja because, the director has structured every frame and character in his film with brilliant dexterity. The manner of narration and screen play is commendable. The major players who help him deliver his aces are his pivot leads, music director, editor and cinematographer which goes on to reiterate the fact that cinema is only a team game. Realistic and natural dialogues spice up the proceedings of AK. (more)
Source: Editorial Board, Behindwoods.com
3.50
Kudos to the entire team!
Aaranya Kaandam can be easily rated as the first neo-noir film in Tamil cinema. Kudos to director Thiagarajan Kumararaja for choosing a dark and raw subject in his debut venture. Bollywood star Jackie Shroff steals the show with his matured and flawless performance. Sampath Raj is not far behind; he delivers with 100% confidence. Aaranya Kaandam will definitely be a breakthrough in Ravi Krishna's career and debutante Yasmin Ponnappa looks perfect for her role.(more)
Source: Deepika Muralidharan, galatta.com
4.00
Survival of the fittest.
Aaranya Kaandam by debutant director Thiyagarajan Kumararaja is a novel attempt that breaks all barriers of methodical film-making. Strikingly different from frame one, Aaranya Kaandam is a film not for weak-hearted. Though it may present scenes as they are from the real life, it may put the viewers in jolt at the first instance. It is more a character-driven story where the events in the lives of various characters make up the script.(more)
Source: Editorial Board, IndiaGlitz.com
4.00
If you can stomach blood and bestiality at a slow pace, fine.
S.P.Charan deserves to be lauded for opting for a story that's dark in the darkest sense, going with a new director and breaking away from formula. The background score (Yuvan) is a plus, though the stretching silences in certain scenes are quite trying. The pace of AK gets you. What could have been a slick actioner is unnecessarily protracted.(more)
Source: Malathi Rangarajan, The Hindu
4.00
Not for the faint-hearted.
The writing (Kumararaja) and acting is very good and the characters are fleshed out very well, the casting is excellent, and the cinematography (P S Vinod) and background score (Yuvan Shankar Raja) are world class. But this is not a movie for the faint-hearted. 'Aaranya Kaandam' announces the entry of a major talent in Kollywood and definitely marks the beginning of a new chapter in Tamil cinema.(more)
Source: Venkateswaran N, Times Of India
