Mandaadi

world to Tamil cinema. Its rooted storytelling reminded me of Sarpatta Parambarai, particularly in the way the sport, its people, and their emotions become the foundation of the narrative. The cinematography is outstanding. The shots captured in the middle of the sea are simply breathtaking, and the aspect ratio complements the visual scale beautifully. I genuinely wish I had experienced this film in IMAX. The way the boat-racing sequences are framed, especially the eagle-eye perspectives reminiscent of Formula One coverage, is phenomenal. Kudos to the team for presenting a traditional sport with such cinematic ambition. Suri has come a long way from his comedy days. After Viduthalai and Kottukkaali, he has firmly established himself as a performer capable of carrying challenging, rooted narratives. He feels like a seasoned leading man now, and Mandaadi further reinforces that transformation. Suhas brings a grounded quality to the film, while Sathyaraj’s pivotal role reminded me of Pasupathi’s presence in Sarpatta Parambarai. The flashback portion serves as a pillar of the narrative, adding emotional depth to the story. The actor playing Avashyam also makes a notable contribution. A special mention to Mahima Nambiar for her performance. Mahima brings a beautiful presence to her role, showcases an acting calibre that genuinely deserves appreciation. The cinematography and editing are among the film’s biggest strengths. There are a few cinematic liberties, particularly towards the climax, but I felt they served the film’s dramatic intentions. My only major disappointment was G. V. Prakash Kumar’s music. I found both the music and its overall impact underwhelming. With someone like Santhosh Narayanan handling the score, I genuinely feel the film could have reached another level. The visuals are powerful, but the background score doesn’t consistently elevate them to their full potential. Nevertheless, Mandaadi deserves appreciation for attempting something different. Bringing boat racing to the forefront of Tamil cinema, grounding it in its cultural setting, and presenting it with such visual ambition is commendable. I only wish I had watched this in a theatre. Mandaadi is an ambitious, visually striking experiment that deserves to be celebrated. Tamil cinema needs more films willing to explore unfamiliar sporting worlds and tell their stories with this kind of conviction.