Poster of the film Maareesan

Maareesan

Thriller Tamil


In an unusual situation, Velayudham sets out on a journey with Dhaya from Nagercoil to Tiruvannamalai-a journey that will alter both their lives in ways they never imagined.

Cast:Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Kovai Sarala, Sithara, Renuka, Vivek Prasanna
Director:Sudheesh Shankar
Writer:Krishna Moorthy
Editor:Sreejith Sarang
Camera:Kalaiselvan Sivaji
FCG Score for the film Maareesan

Guild Reviews

Image of scene from the film Maareesan

Fahadh Faasil’s film fools you into forgiving terrible crimes with its farfetched plot twist

FCG Member Reviewer Rohan Naahar
Rohan Naahar | The Indian Express, Secretary FCG
Sat, August 30 2025

Starring Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu, the Tamil-language film Maareesan gaslights you into giving a thumbs-up to a mass murdering maniac.

At what point do you start feeling bad about the idea of wanting someone dead? While watching the new Tamil-language film Maareesan, you crave nothing more than the satisfaction of seeing a middle-aged man murder child molesters. The movie aims to appease a primal desire buried deep within us, and it does so with patience and skill. But the catharsis is temporary. After a while, you’re going to have to live with yourself, a person who wouldn’t mind a few murders here and there as long as the ones being murdered are terrible people. But, the service that Maareesan is accidentally providing has a greater purpose. In its efforts to manipulate our inherent goodness — who wouldn’t want to watch bad people be punished? — it is exposing our blood lust.

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The Long Take: A Spotify Review

FCG Member Reviewer Akhil Arora
Akhil Arora | akhilarora.com
August 27, 2025

In the Tamil-language film Maareesan, the plot twist comes not at the end, but midway through. We talk about the sudden change in tone, and how the film handles it. We also discuss Fahadh Faasil’s comedic performance, and wonder why the film is presented through the perspective of his character. But mainly, we talk about the film’s shady morality, which seems to champion extrajudicial killings if the cause is perceived as noble enough.

Image of scene from the film Maareesan

Fahadh-Vadivelu's road trip takes wrong turn post-interval

FCG Member Reviewer Janani K
Janani K | India Today
Thu, July 24 2025

Director Sudheesh Sankar's 'Maareesan', starring Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil, is a comedy thriller. While the film wows you with a brilliant first half, it takes a formulaic turn in the second half.

‘Maareesan’ brings together Tamil comedy legend Vadivelu and brilliant performer Fahadh Faasil for the second time after ‘Maamannan’. While the two have their individual strengths, they are terrific performers. Give them any role, their eyes are enough to pull them off. Director Sudheesh Sankar’s ‘Maareesan’ is a comedy thriller, a genre that could either be effective or a total misfire. Dayalan (Fahadh Faasil) is a thief who is just out of the infamous Palayamkottai prison. In his words, certain houses talk to him and call him, so he could rob them. Soon after his return, he finds Velayudham Pillai’s (Vadivelu) house calling him. He breaks into the house to steal, but only to find Velayudham chained to his bed.

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