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Critics Review
3.00
A Satisfying Watch
An engaging gangster saga. Despite some shortcomings, STR's delightful performance and ARR's soulful music make it a memorable experience.(more)
Source: Ashwin Ram, MovieCrow
3.00
A terrific Silambarasan shoulders an uneven gangster saga that works in parts
This is especially felt in the epilogue (a lead to a possible sequel) that lessens the impact of the more effective low-key ending. Rather than coming across as something organic, this sequence, which even includes a hattip to an iconic gangster drama, only feels like pandering to the fans.(more)
Source: Suganth, Times Of India
2.50
Simbu's terrific acting saves GVM's gangster origin film
Another subplot that made Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu stand out is the one featuring Muthu and Sridharan (Neeraj Madhav). The two meet at Chatrapathi Shivaji railway station while they land in Mumbai. They start their career in two different gangs. Throughout the film, Muthu and Sridharan cross paths, but their different decisions dictate their lives. In the climax, the two meet again and it�s a profound moment. It shows Muthu what his life could have been if he had run away from Mumbai. AR Rahman�s haunting music and brilliant background score elevate Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu�s mood drastically. Cinematographer Siddhartha Nuni�s work captured Mumbai�s underworld in a new colour. Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu could have been Simbu�s Pudhupettai, but it falls short by a few miles. The second half could have been more nuanced.(more)
Source: Janani, India Today
2.75
VTK is a slow-burner gangster drama, carried by STR's subtle performance and Rahman's music.
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is a technically well made film that shows us another dimension of Simbu the actor and AR Rahman the composer. Gautham Menon tries something outside his comfort zone deserves a praise. With engagement issues and a predictable plot, the film is watchable for general audiences, and a feast for STR fans.(more)
Source: Behindwoods, Behindwoods.com
2.75
WITH A TERRIFIC SILAMBARASAN, IS A FINE ADDITION TO TAMIL FILMS ABOUT GANGSTERS
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is a fine addition to Tamil films about gangsters, and its most impressive aspect is that it' about the cogs in the wheel. Part 2 promises to be more heroic, more hero-centric, more mass, but Part 1, called The Kindling, is about how the mere glimpse of a gun can change an innocent life forever.(more)
Source: Baradwaj Rangan, galatta.com
3.00
Gauthama Menon-Simbu film is done in by half measures
The film feels different when it is just about Muthu, and the moment Siddhi Idnani enters as his love interest Paavai, we are in a different film altogether. To be precise, it�s the �GVM-Simbu� zone, which is incongruous with the realistic and grounded tone of the rest of the film. It�s glaring and undercuts the movie�s lifelike nature. Even if one is ready to overlook such tonal inconsistencies, the end of Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is appallingly disjointed. To be honest, the film did have a great ending, but someone seems to have had a change of heart and wanted to milk more out of the movie to keep up with the current trend of �universe� building and sequels. That has only resulted in a confounding climax that leaves all the great achievements of Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu undone. A pity.(more)
Source: Kirubhakar Purushothaman , Indian Express
3.00
Simbu and Gautham Menon are superb in this very ordinary gangster drama
The biggest positive has got to be how well-rounded the screenplay structure is: where it begins is where the film also ends. Which is why I am not exactly sure what to make of the last 10 minutes that teases for a second installment. For me, the film ended during the intermission.(more)
Source: Srivatsan, The Hindu
3.00
A broody, rewarding gangster drama that's devoid of flashy heroism
The film has its flaws but the realistic treatment and Simbu�s terrific performance along with A.R Rahman�s magic score keeps one largely engrossed. Debutante Siddhi Idnani makes a confident debut and she shines in a brief role. Neeraj Madhav plays a very interesting character that remains largely unexplored but going by the way it�s treated, it looks like there�s a lot of scope for his role in the second part.(more)
Source: ByHaricharan Pudipeddi, Hindustan Times
3.50
Gautham Menon returns to form in Simbu gangster film
he second half needed better editing, and the last 15 minutes that establish the premise of the sequel is way too rushed. The scenes pack in too much information � from a nod to Nayagan to a tragedy in Muthu�s personal life � and it feels clumsy. Still, this is a return to form for Gautham Menon that fans can celebrate. It may be old wine in a new bottle (a �vendhu, thannindha kadhai� if you prefer that), but wine is still wine and can be enjoyed.(more)
Source: Sowmya Rajendran, The News Minute