The Tamil film industry has been abuzz with Madharaasi, the psychological action thriller directed by A.R. Murugadoss and starring Sivakarthikeyan. Released on September 5, 2025 this multilingual film promises action, emotions and a socially relevant story. With a great cast, a gripping premise and Murugadoss’s storytelling, Madharaasi is out to give you a cinematic experience. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s get into the review.
Madharaasi is set in Tamil Nadu, where a dangerous syndicate led by ruthless villains is smuggling guns into the state and is about to unleash chaos. An honest NIA officer played by Biju Menon is on the job to dismantle this operation. Meanwhile, Raghu, played by Sivakarthikeyan, is an ordinary man struggling with personal trauma and a psychological condition called Fregoli delusion. When his girlfriend Malathy, played by Rukmini Vasanth, gets entangled with the criminal network, Raghu is thrown into a violent world and the lines between hero and anti hero gets blurred. The story is a mix of action, drama and psychological thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Sivakarthikeyan is outstanding as Raghu and proves he can do more than just family films. He’s great in the emotional and action scenes and shows he’s a full-fledged action star. Rukmini Vasanth is good as Malathy and brings depth to a character that could have been just a typical love interest. Her chemistry with Sivakarthikeyan adds warmth to the film. Vidyut Jammwal as the villain Virat is a force to be reckoned with; his physicality and screen presence elevate the action scenes. Biju Menon is solid as the NIA officer and supporting actors like Vikranth and Shabeer Kallarakkal add to the ensemble.
A.R. Murugadoss, who gave us blockbusters like Ghajini and Thuppakki, is back to form with Madharaasi. His direction is confident and blends old school commercial cinema with modern sensibilities. The first half is engaging with a well paced setup that has action, romance and drama. The interval block is a highlight and sets high expectations for the second half. But post interval the film falters with some over stretched scenes and a climax that’s predictable and slightly underwhelming. Murugadoss’s attempt to convey a social message about gun culture is good, but the execution is not as sharp as his earlier films and sometimes relies on familiar tropes.
Madharaasi is a mixed bag, technically. Sudeep Elamon’s cinematography is good in the action scenes and vibrant in the romantic portions. Kevin Kumar’s action choreography is a major plus with stylish and grounded fight scenes that keep you on the edge. A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is neat in the first half but could have been tighter in the second half to avoid the pacing issues. Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is good, but the songs are pleasant but not as impactful as his previous chartbusters.
The emotional core of the film, Raghu’s psychological struggles and his relationship with Malathy, is one of the best parts. Murugadoss uses Raghu’s Fregoli delusion cleverly; it’s not just a gimmick but a driving force in the story. The romance is heartfelt, but it slows down the pace with too many songs, which might test the patience of action lovers. The social commentary on gun culture adds depth but doesn’t integrate well with the story and feels like an afterthought at times.
Madharaasi is a film that rides on its performances and action scenes but falters in the screenplay. It’s a step up from Murugadoss’s recent films, shows he can make a commercial entertainer with emotional stakes. But doesn’t reach his earlier classics because of a lack of narrative innovation and the second half doesn’t sustain the first half’s momentum. For Sivakarthikeyan fans and action lovers, the film has enough thrills and emotional moments to make it a watchable film. For those who are expecting a game changer, it’s a good, not great effort.
In short, Madharaasi is a watchable action thriller that delivers in parts, thanks to Sivakarthikeyan’s performance and Murugadoss’s ability to tell high energy stories. It’s a film that entertains but doesn’t linger after the credits roll. If you want a mix of action, drama and a bit of psychological thriller, Madharaasi is worth a watch, especially for the first half and the stunts. Just don’t expect a revolution, expect a ground level film.