Bala’s films are those which have always held together a disturbing story in some form or the other, matching them with weirdly behaving characters and situations where they react in unique ways.
Vanangaan, starring Arun Vijay, is another film in the same format, bringing in a man named Koti and his close associates, his way of life, and what happens when he finds a new job at an ashram. The film’s first half gets busy introducing us to the character of Koti, his family and his friends, taking us through a comic track that does not bring in much interest. However, the film picks up pace closer to the interval and we are taken through a freak incident that sets off a series of events that angers Koti even more, and makes us believe in the anger of the man. The second half is the better of the two as there are more emotions flowing, leading up to the highly emotional climax of the film.
Arun Vijay delivers a terrific performance which shows no similarity to any other film in his career, playing an animalistic character with a brash and rugged look. The film gives him so many scenes to prove his mettle and he totally aces all of them. The film also gets Roshni Jayaprakash in a very good role, and also benefits from the presence of the newcomer Ridha. Mysskin is very good in brief cameo.
GV Prakash’s songs are lovely and work in favour of the film, and the BGM by Sam CS is adequate. The film is technically functional, there are no great shakes about it.
Bala could have gone for a thicker story that could have added more depth and emotion into the film. However, the presence of Arun Vijay and his superb performance add value to the film and take it through as a good fare on the whole.