"Aranmanai 4" : Sundar C's Franchise Delivers Another Familiar Yet an Entertaining Ride
The fourth installment in the Aranmanai series brings back the same creative mind, Sundar C, even after churning out movies in this series that critics have bashed repeatedly. Yet, it seems like this man knows no fear, and the following for the series has not really slumped, as each one has managed to pull in crowds. The recent hit "Aranmanai 3," in 2021, just alludes to the fact that this series does seem to grow on the audience's palate.
Also featuring Sundar C in the lead with Raashii Khanna and Tamannaah Bhatia, "Aranmanai 4" is also set to be around the same mix of horror and comedy that will appeal largely to family audiences. The film is set in a forested palace bungalow, narrating elements of supernatural mystery, comic characters, and undercurrent tensions revolving around a family and an evil force.
The film traces the story of Selvi, an extremely beautiful and doting wife played by Tamannaah Bhatia, and her husband, whose picture-perfect life turns ugly when he suddenly starts to get violent with his family members. Meanwhile, Selvi's brother, Saravanan, is out on a mission to track what exactly happened, which leads him to a malevolent spirit that has become a haunting presence in the house. The ensemble cast has been updated with comedians like Delhi Ganesh, Kovai Sarala, Late Comedian Seshu, Yogi Babu and VTV Ganesh, adding extra layers of fun and intrigue to the movie.
First half of the movie moves quickly compared to the second half. The remaining task is to inject suspense and surprise with good timing of the twists and effective comedy, and Sundar C does a commendable job of it. Tamannaah Bhatia is good as Selvi, while Raashii Khanna impresses as Maya. In the second half, a few scenes felt dragging us to the climax and made us feel “come on , lets wrap this up quick” but during the climax, the presence of industry veterans Khushbu and Simran amps up our excitement.
"Aranmanai 4" does what it intends to do, with its mass appeal and entertainment over logic: it delivers jump scares, witty dialogue, lively music, and an explanation. It might not clinch the day critically, but one is sure to be satisfied with simply turning off while watching something light.
Finally, it does not reinvent the wheel, but it keeps intact the tried-and-tested franchise legacy in 'Aranmanai 4.'.
All performances are carried on by a strong ensemble, with Sundar C directing deftly. His vision guarantees that the film is a great jolly ride for the fans. It seems that Aranmanai 4, not just yet, is ready to hang up its boots with the hint of a fifth installment coming up soon. So, if you feel like loosening up with absolutely no-strings-attached entertainment, "Aranmanai 4" is the answer.
Verdict: "Aranmanai 4" offers a familiar yet enjoyable blend of horror and comedy, delivering spine-chilling thrills and laughs for audiences of all ages.
