The Tamil action thriller Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2, which was grandly released in theaters on March 27, 2025 on the occasion of Ugadi, was dubbed in Telugu as Veera Dheera Soora. Written and directed by S.U. Arun Kumar and produced by HR Pictures, the film stars Chiyan Vikram, S.J. Surya, Dushara Vijayan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Prithviraj in key roles. G.V. Prakash Kumar has music, Theni Eeshwar has cinematography, and Prasanna GK has editing. Although the morning shows were canceled on the release day due to court cases and financial issues, the shows started in the afternoon and got good talk. After hits like ‘Thangalan’ and ‘Chitta’, did I like this movie from Vikram and Arun Kumar or did it disappoint? Let me tell you about my feelings, movie highlights, and shortcomings in this review
What is the story?
The story revolves around the events that take place on a single night during a fair in Medicharla village. Kali (Vikram) leads a peaceful life running a grocery stall with his wife Vani (Dushara Vijayan) and children. No one knows about his past. Ravi alias Peddaiah (Prithviraj), who is known as the elder in the village, and his son Kannan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) have a feud with SP Arunagiri (S.J. Surya). Arunagiri wants to encounter both of them. In this situation, Ravi meets Kali and begs her to save her son. Kali was a goon in the past and left that life. At Ravi's request, Kali is pulled back into that violent world. What is Kali's past? How did he help Ravi? Why the fight with Arunagiri? What happened in this one night? You will know if you watch the movie.
My feelings: First half tension, second half action, but climax disappointment!
When the movie started, I saw a woman's commotion in Ravi's house, SP Arunagiri's entry, and Kali's routine life scenes, and I felt, "Oh, this is going to be a tough revenge drama!" Even though the first half had a slow pace, the character buildup, tension scenes, and Vikram's screen presence were very impressive. The interval scene and the police station episode made me think, "Wow, Arun Kumar is the real deal!" G.V. Prakash's BGM took the movie to another level. I thought, "The second half will be a massacre with action and twists!"
But, the story falters a bit in the second half. The action sequences are gripping, but the story lacks novelty and emotional depth. The climax scenes seem like a routine commercial formula, with more emphasis on fan service. “Wow, with such a good setup and a tight screenplay, it would have been a blockbuster!” I thought. Although the 2 hour 42 minute runtime feels stretched, Vikram’s performance, Sooraj’s and S.J. Surya’s acting saves the film. Overall, a decent experience in the theater for action lovers and Vikram fans, but a bit of a disappointment for those expecting a strong story and climax.
Technical aspects, acting
Theni Eeshwar’s cinematography is amazing. Medicharla village, fair settings, night scenes are visually rich and impress with a rustic feel. G.V. Prakash Kumar's BGM is the biggest asset of the film—it brings goosebumps in the tense scenes and action blocks. The songs ('Aathi Aathi', 'Ayla Allela') are decent, but the BGM is not that impactful. Prasanna GK's editing is sharp in the first half, but it would have been crispier if some scenes were trimmed in the second half. HR Pictures' production values are top-notch, a plus for the grandeur of the film. Arun Kumar's writing and direction impress with the tension buildup in the first half, but succumb to the commercial formula in the second half.
Chiyaan Vikram is impressive as Kali in his acting. His rustic look, emotional scenes, and screen presence in the action sequences made me feel "Wow, this is Vikram magic!" His acting in the police station scene and climax is goosebumps. S.J. Surya gives a balanced performance as SP Arunagiri in a grey shade character, but it would have been better if his role had been written with more depth. Sooraj Venjaramoodu surprised in his Tamil debut as Kannan—impressive in the Madurai dialect with a Malayalam accent. Dushara Vijayan did well in the emotional scenes as Vaani, but it would have been better if her role had been given more scope. Prithviraj surprised in a serious role as Ravi, it was a fresh feel for the Telugu audience to see him in this role. Siddiqui and other supporting characters are decent.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
Vikram's performance—Rustic look, action, emotional scenes.
First half—Tension buildup, character setup, interval scene gripping.
G.V. Prakash's BGM—Given goosebumps in tension, action scenes.
Suraj, S.J. Surya's acting—Impressed in supporting roles.
Visuals—Theni Eeshwar's cinematography gave a rustic, grand feel.
Dislikes:
Weak climax—Routine commercial formula, fan service feel.
Second half dragged out—Newness and emotional depth were missing in the story.
Slow pacing—Some scenes in the first half, drag in the second half.
Underutilized roles—Dushara, S.J. Surya's roles could have been given more scope.
Confusing start—First 15 minutes feel a bit confusing.
Who can watch it?
Action thrillers, rustic revenge dramas, Chiyaan Vikram fans, S.J. Surya, Suraj Venjaramudu fans Veera Dheere Shoora Decent watch. With a U/A certificate, there will be some violent action scenes, so the youth and mass audience can enjoy it. Vikram's performance, police station scene, G.V. Prakash BGM can be tried in the theater. But, a strong story, tight climax, a little disappointed for those who expect an impact like 'Thangalan'. The movie will be streaming on Amazon Prime Video from April 24, 2025, so those who missed the theater can watch it on OTT.
Rating: 3/5
Veera Dheera Shoora Chiyaan Vikram's amazing performance, S.J. Suriya, Sooraj's acting, first half tension buildup, G.V. Prakash's BGM, rustic visuals impressed. HR Pictures' grand production, Arun Kumar's writing plus. But, the second half was stretched, routine climax, lack of emotional depth, and some underutilized roles prevented the movie from creating a full impact. Action lovers and Vikram fans can watch it once in the theater, but don't expect a masterpiece like 'Thangalan'!
Release Date: March 27, 2025 (Theatres)
Streaming: April 24, 2025 (Amazon Prime Video)
Director: S.U. Arun Kumar
Cast: Vikram, S.J. Surya, Dushara Vijayan, Sooraj Venjaramoodu, Prithviraj, Siddiqui
Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematography: Theni Easwar