#BaththaReview: Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Prithviraj bring warmth and humour to Balaji Tharaneetharan’s period drama about an unlikely friendship and redemption. Despite a few narrative inconsistencies, the film finds its strength in an engaging central relationship and a terrific lead performance, writes Rohit Panikker. Rating: 4/5 #VijaySethupathi #Baththa
https://t.co/cHlEdFimHZ
Baththa belies the usual gangster tropes - the narrative is surprising, moving, deeply emotional & funny. @VijaySethuOffl is fabulous but the find is child artist Sai Prithiviraj who matches him. Dir Balaji Tharaneetharan tells the story with sensitivity & affection! Do watch
My 2nd #Baththa show. For this time, I focus more on looking at the expressions of the characters, and I feel more emotional in so many scenes. Sabari's character makes me want to give him so much hugs.
#VijaySethupathi#MakkalSelvan
A big thank you to Kerala for showering #Baththa with so much love! ❤️ I truly wish I could be there with you all, but I’m sending my love from afar. Keep the love coming and continue showering our film with your blessings! ❤️🙏
#BaththaInTheatres
VJS is like the DiCaprio of Tamil cinema. Has worked with every single critically acclaimed director & they keep coming back to him. Will retire with an ATG filmography.
#Baththa Day 7, complete celebration in theatres. WOM is growing stronger 🔥
Book your tickets now. A heartwarming period gangster story. #VijaySethupathi
#Baththa is an amazing film - a story we hardly get to see on Indian screens.
It revolves around the unlikely conflict between a popular, feared rowdy and an innocent school-going kid. What happens when their paths cross in an unpleasant and completely unplanned situation forms the heart of the film.
Three major highlights:
1. Story, screenplay & direction (Balaji Tharaneetharan)
2. Performances - especially Vijay Sethupathi and Master Sai Prithviraj
3. Sai Abhyankar’s background score
By the interval, you start wondering how the writer is going to take the story forward. I was genuinely impressed by the way the screenplay unfolds in the second half. The “singing” element towards the end is another sweet takeaway.
Sai Prithviraj is terrific. His reactions and expressions are simply amazing. Vijay Sethupathi, once again, reminds us why he is one of the finest contemporary actors.
Both characters take themselves and their individual perspectives very seriously, but the humour that emerges naturally from their situations is genuine, warm and heartwarming.
I was particularly impressed by Sai Abhyankar’s background score. The way he uses certain instruments gives the film a classic European and vintage Hollywood feel.
The overall viewing experience also reminded me of Majid Majidi’s 1990s films, especially Children of Heaven, where the innocence and psychology of children are explored beautifully.
Vijay Sethupathi gets a 360-degree character arc, and the kid is the catalyst for that transformation.
One of the best films I’ve watched in recent years.
A must-watch! 👍