The Tamil action comedy Good Bad Ugly, which was released in theaters on April 10, 2025, has been released in multiple languages, including the Telugu dubbed version. Starring Ajith Kumar in the lead role, directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, this film has raised huge expectations among Ajith fans. With a huge cast like Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Sunil, Yogi Babu, Jackie Shroff, Priya Prakash Varrier, Prabhu, Prasanna, did this film entertain me or disappoint me? Let me tell you about my feelings, film highlights, and shortcomings in this review!
What is the story?
A.K. (Ajith Kumar), a fearsome gangster in Mumbai known as the Red Dragon, leaves his criminal life for his wife Ramya (Trisha Krishnan) and serves an 18-year prison sentence. When his son Vihaan (Karthikeya Dev) turns 18, he dreams of living a normal life with him. But, by the time he is released from prison, Vihaan is embroiled in a drug case and is arrested in Spain. AK again takes on his gangster avatar, targeting the twin brothers Jamie and Johnny (Arjun Das), who framed Vihaan. Who is the Red Dragon? Why did AK leave the gangster life? Did he save Vihaan? These are the key points of the story.
My Feelings: Ajith's swag is a highlight, but the story is flat!
Ajith's entry in the opening scene, salt-and-pepper look, slow-motion shots, and punchy dialogues made me think, "This is definitely a festival for Ajith fans!" In the first half, the WhatsApp group scene, Ajith's action sequences, and retro song remixes (like 'Puli Puli' and 'Otta Ruba') made me laugh. Ajith's screen presence, style, and mass elevations drove the movie. Ajith's photoshoot sequence and Simran's cameo in one scene gave me goosebumps. I thought, "We've missed such vintage Ajith for a long time!" But, in the second half, the story became drawn out and dull with predictable twists. One scene with Jamie-Johnny felt overly long. The lack of emotional depth in the story and the lack of Ajith-Vihan father-son bond were disappointing. “With such a big cast and production values, it would have been better if there had been a little more focus on the story!” I felt. The Telugu dubbing quality is so-so, and the translation in some scenes felt unnatural. While this may be a feast for Ajith fans, it may be a bit boring for the general audience.
Technical aspects, acting
Abhinandan Ramanujan’s cinematography is the biggest asset of the film. He stylishly captures the action scenes and slow-motion shots in Hyderabad and Spain locations. Vijay Velukutty’s editing is crisp, but it would have been better if some scenes were trimmed in the second half. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score adds energy to the action scenes, but the songs are not that memorable. The ‘Puli Puli’ remix, Ilaiyaraaja, Vidyasagar’s retro tracks are well worked out. Mythri Movie Makers’ production values are high-end.
In acting, Ajith Kumar scores as the Red Dragon. His swag, style, comedy timing, and action sequences carry the film. “This is a definite Thala Ajith show!” I felt. Trisha is decent as Ramya, but her role is limited and screen time is less. Arjun Das is sincere as the villain, but his impact is limited in front of Ajith. Sunil, Yogi Babu, Prabhu, Prasanna, Jackie Shroff, Sayaji Shinde are okay in supporting roles, but their roles are not memorable. Simran’s cameo is a surprise for fans.
Likes, Dislikes
Likes:
Ajith's swag, screen presence—a feast for vintage Ajith fans.
First half—mass elevations, WhatsApp group scene, photoshoot sequence are great.
Visuals—Abhinandan Ramanujam's cinematography is stylish.
Retro songs—'Puli Puli', 'Otta Ruba' remixes bring back nostalgia.
Production values—Mythri Movie Makers have added grandeur.
Dislikes:
Weak story—lack of emotional depth and surprise elements in the story.
Second half—slogan, boring with expected twists.
Telugu dubbing—unnatural translation, dubbing quality soso.
Songs—GV Prakash's new songs don't create impact.
Supporting Cast—Trisha, Arjun Das, Sunil's roles are underutilized.
Who can watch it?
Good Bad Ugly is a definite theater feast for Ajith Kumar fans. Those who like mass action, stylish elevations, and nostalgic references will like it. With a U/A certificate, there will be some high-octane action scenes and mass dialogues, so it will suit the youth and Ajith loyalists. But, it may be a bit disconnected for the general audience, especially the Telugu audience, who expect a strong story and emotional connect. It may not be very suitable for the family audience. You can watch it in theaters for the big screen experience, or you can wait for OTT.
Rating: 2.75/5
Good Bad Ugly is a feast for Ajith Kumar fans with swag, style, and mass elevations. The first half is engaging, Abhinandan Ramanujam's visuals, GV Prakash's BGM, and retro songs add energy to the movie. But, the weak story, the second half is stretched, the lack of emotional connect, and the Telugu dubbing errors stop the movie halfway. Ajith fans can enjoy it in the theater, but the general audience will feel okay!
Release Date: April 10, 2025 (Theaters)
Streaming: OTT Release Date Not Announced
Director: Adhik Ravichandran
Cast: Ajith Kumar, Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Sunil, Yogi Babu, Jackie Shroff, Prabhu, Prasanna
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematography: Abhinandan Ramanujam