User reviews

Dhanush & Mari Selvaraj unites for the first time in Karnan. Their previous works Asuran and Pariyerum Perumal were both impactful for their bold and strong content and the way that it has been delivered to the audience. With Karnan, they both step ahead by sincerely pulling off a deeply sensitive social issue on-screen. Well, Mari Selvaraj proves once again that he is a visual storyteller. He uses the brilliant village backdrop, costumes, natural lightings & characters to blend his vision in a well-constructed real world (Karnan's world). Karnan is realism. The film is really hard-hitting and each and every frame would be real. The beauty of the film lies in the visually pleasing cinematography. Mari Selvaraj tells his story with beautiful shots. The angles capture the emotion of each and every character. I would salute Mari Selvaraj for taking up such a serious social issue presenting it in a well-written film. Karnan's major strength is the writing, especially of the characters. Every character has a purpose and a scope to perform. After a remarkable performance in Asuran, Dhanush comes back, even more, stronger than Karnan, an angry young man who is in search of justice for his people. His performance can be easily categorized as one of his best. His intensity in his actions, his braveness in his attitude, and his pain in his eyes reflect the reality of an angry young man. Dhanush's performance is pure and intense especially in the climax which made the film outstanding and even more emotional. Lal's performance needs a standing ovation. I was mindblown by his natural and realistic performance which was the heart and the soul of the film. The rest of the casts including Yogi Babu were exceptionally great. They played a major part in building the so-called Karnan's world. Another major pillar of Karnan is Santhosh Narayanan. His songs are impactful and his background score is pulsating. In fact, his musical score helps the film to be more relatable to the audience. It makes us feel and emote for the characters in the film. Overall, Karnan is a very strong social issue-based film.

Karnan is a story of a youth who can't tolerate any injustice. This story has been shown in many films but what differs Karnan from other films is it's superb execution by Mari Selvaraj. From the opening song of the movie you'll start to feel goosebumps. The film is too long because it started slowly in the 1st half but it became a gripping tale in the 2nd half and then you can't move your eyes from the screen.

You'll find many Mahabharat references here but fully opposite way. The animals are used for visual storytelling. The music & specially the BGM is superb. Not just Dhanush but the entire cast did a commendable job. Finally, I can't say Karnan a masterpiece but I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

© MandalBros.

Karnan (2021) : Brief Review -

A monumental achievement for Dhanush, Selvaraj and Tamil Cinema to blend a Superior Social Classic with A Grade Mass Appeal. What Asuran Missed, Karnan has got it alright. That aggresive climax which was missing in Dhanush's Asuran has been found here in Karnan. This is how you make a Cult Film with Massy elements. A chunk of Smart Movie Buffs and Art Lovers always complaint about B grade action in South films and their illogical entertainers, i happened to be one of them too. But there are some films which have that cinematic sense which we look for and stars like Dhanush are one of those countable stars who understand this. With Karnan, Dhanush porves his intelligent choice of scripts again and director Mari Selvaraj gets his second consecutive Classic after Pariyerum Perumal. Comparatively, Karnan is better than Pariyerum Perumal. If you have seen that film then you know how big this compliment is for Karnan. Karnan, a fearless village youth, must fight for the rights of the conservative people of his village, due to the torture given by a police officer. It's a soul-stirring fight against the entire system of those suppressed people who have been overlooked by the upper caste people and government for years. Dhanush acts like he's one of those villager who have endiree this torture for years. The supporting cast is fantastic. Screenplay, Dialogues, Cinematography everything hits the high bar. Even the action scenes have A Grade execution which is rare for South films. Selvaraj has done such a great job that i can't tell in words. I would be laughing on the standard of all prestigious awards if this man doesn't get Best Director Award. Yes he is that GREAT! Karnan deserves your watch like you owed it to them and it's like you'll be doing favour for yourself. Hats off to Team Karnan.

RATING - 8.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

The entire effort uplifted this wholesome masterpiece. How oppression strikes a set of peoples is the plot. With that plot,maari selvaraj writing for the screenplay and dialogues is perfectly splendid. Simple story with perfect output of music,art,dop,cinematography. All the actors gives their 100%. Each and every scenes elevation will haunt you for sure. How perfectly a team can work.? You will see the answers in Karnan. Highly recommended.

A movie which is deliver our life incident that is a gud movie.karnan done it. Me also facing this issue in my life career. Hats off for the story, screenplay, dialogues,acting etc...every scenes create a goosebumps. Dhanush anna great for choosing such kind of story . Love u anna. Must watchable movie🔥🔥🔥🔥.

You might think these two movies are of same themes. Ultimately as we all know, Asuran was an effort to make a commercial movie set in rural background and for that you really need to pitch the title of whos hero, villain and other roles. While karnan, was ultimately a tale of oppression of a village with dhanush being an influence towards change. Mari Selvaraj has absolutely Executed without a typical template of potraying a hero centric movie or even defining whos the villain here (The evil is the mind, was well shown with Natty playing the role of the police) Those references of Eagles, Donkeys and Dogs were beautifully explained.

Ultimately, Karnan has very blended with the mythological themes of mahabharatha, with silouhette shots against the sun and many more. Definitely, its a tale that would last for generations, with powerful storytelling and visuals, without hurting any sentiments of any particulars.

P. S;- These are some movies that even tarantino cant make it in hollywood. So go give a watch!

First of all.. congratulations to the entire crew for such an extraordinary work..it was just emotional catharsis throughout.. with the heavy impact by the deities. Mari exposes us to a different world altogether..he seems to be the artist who will define tamil cinemas next-generation.

The Movie delivers you to a whole new classical level.

Santhosh Narayanan era started.

Mari selvaraj is waiting for Oscar, get ready juries.

Dhanush outstanding as usual.

Finally, The story is not new but way the director moved is outstanding. I never seen a screen play and camera work earlier. Just awesome.

2:30 mins is going like flawlessly.

Worth watching. Never Miss in theatres.

As usual dhanush acting at his best and rest of the other actors were brilliant.. mari selvaraj cleverly plays with an emotion of audience... bit slow in screenplay however movie has multiple mass scenes which surpasses it...great bgm and camera work , art work everything was upto the level.. watch on theaters have a blast...#stay_safe.

As Usual Mr. D Dhanush Sir Nailed to the Core. Each one of the cast and crew members had given their Best. Mari Selvaraj another Gem for Kollywood. Not a Commercial Content But Worked Well for Experimental Content. Worth to Watch.

The Film against Caste or jaadhi Veriyar. Another National Award Winning Performance by Dhanush. What an Unbelievable Performance by him. A great Social Message. WellDirected & Screenplay by Selvaraj Sir. Banging Music, Songs by Santhosh. A Sure Blockbuster & Must Watch Film Only in Theatre.

I watched one of the best Movie and acting vera level...

Watched this movie after much hype, writing of the movie was too good, however screenplay was little boring at times and felt like movie was bit too lengthy. Acting of Dhanush, Lakshmi Priya Chandramouli & GM Kumar was too good, also felt like Rajisha Vijayan did bot suit this character, as that character needed lots of nativity. BGM & Cinematography was superb and it kept the tempo of movie. Sound Mixing & Voice Dubbing could have been better, as not able to catch the words being spoken in movie at times.

Making doesn't feel the nativity and looks very artificial. Not even to 50% of Pareiyurum Perumal.

A mix of various caste and community based oppression and massacres.

Karnan is a gripping real story happened in rural village near Tirunelveli city in tamilnadu very one must watch it it's so inspiring. Karnan is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Mari Selvaraj.

Extraordinary plot. Powerful performances. Great movie after so many decades.

Must Watch!!

Tharamana Sambavam By "Mari Selvaraj"!!

Dhanush Performance in this Movie will be remembered for Years.. Mari Selvaraj philosophy is simple, He will entertain and provoke you each time you watch his movie.

Notable performance from other supporting actors.

Santosh Narayan Music is Pure gold.

A Must Watch !!

Movie Filled With Many Goosebumps Scene Must Watch In Theatres.

Karnan movie is basically social awareness movie. Film story & screenplay is good & smooth. Dhanush performance is just awesome. #Asuran movie is far better than this movie. Minimum 10-15 minutes should cut off. Overall just one time watchable movie.

Superb! But not up to the level of ASURAN! Expected more but a full filling movie with a message and an emotion!

First of all kudos to the team. Great movie and worth watching. The movie is intense and raw. Very logical, no superhero and no nonsense movie. Those love scenes could have been avoided just like his old movie. They just add more time to the movie and is actually making the movie too slow. Expected better from Maari Selvaraj in terms of screenplay, which was lacking. As an actor Dhanush has proven to be best and he did prove to be the best.

To be honest the movie is below par to Dhanush's Asuran. If you have his image as Asuran and watch this movie, this is a let down. Before you enter the theatre, erase that image.

Classic example of a overrated movie. Just because it is against the Caste it cannot be accepted as a good movie .. And showing particular community as so innocent & trying to prove something wrong here..

Moreover ppl bringing caste into cinema so obvious and open to make money.. this is going to bring more unhealthy discussion and hatred among young generation..