One would not consider remaking old films a very bad idea unless one comes across a mindless movie like Vathiyar. The word means teacher but in this film, it means ruler. The original was a blockbuster but the rehash is nothing like that.
Starring Arjun, Prakash Raj, Vadivelu and Mallika Kapoor, Vathiyar is a what's what to avoid when making a film.
Arjun plays a teacher-cum-martial arts-expert-cum-social-reformer-cum-orphanage-CEO, and succeeds being none. The lessons he gives to the children are as pathetic as the movie's nonexistant story.
The story meanders into endless dream sequences, fights and forgettable social messages. All these are recycled from Arjun's earlier movies like Mudalvan, and MGR's hits.
Playing a school teacher called Dorai with a violent side, Arjun has too many brushes with the law and an unbelievable resurrection from the grave to kill the villain Joshi. Mallika Kapoor is just for show, even as she struts around in her swimsuit.
Prakash Raj, playing a seemingly corrupt police officer with a golden heart, is overdone. Vadivelu evokes a few laughs. The veteran Sujata plays Dorai's confused mother and ends up crying throughout.
It is incredible that with two decent films Yei and Madarasi under his belt, director Venkatesh could not come up with something better. The songs of D Imman are terrible.
In a nutshell, the normally saleable star Arjun has torpedoed his future with this dud.
Rediff Rating: