Yaman (Eng: Lord of Death) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language political drama film written and directed by Jeeva Shankar. Co-produced by Lyca Productions and Vijay Antony Film Corporation, Yaman features Vijay Antony and Mia George in the lead roles, while Thiagarajan portrays another pivotal character. Yaman, which features Jeeva Shankar and Vijay Antony doubling up as the cinematographer and the music composer respectively, was released alongside its dubbed Telugu version on 24 February 2017.
Political pot boilers are always exciting provided it has a few factors like gripping performances, unpredictable twists and turns, nepotism, intelligent moves, unapologetic treachery, hunger for power, and so on. With Yaman, Jeeva Shankar has tried to tick all the boxes. The erratic political happenings being the flavour of the season, the film has some scenes and unadulterated dialogues which the audience can relate to.
Tamilarasan (Vijay Antony), who lost his parents soon after his birth, is living with his grandfather (Sangili Murugan). The latter has been diagnosed with a disease, for which Tamilarasan is in need of money. He agrees to turn approver for an accident case which he has no connection with, and approaches an unknown person (Swaminathan) for the same. He goes to jail and encounters a local goon who has a fallout with another gangster in town. The two gangsters come to terms under a discussion organised by Karunakaran (Thiagarajan), a shrewd politician and an ex-minister. They decide to finish off Tamilarasan in the latter’s presence, but in an interesting turn of events, Tamil becomes Karunakaran’s trusted man in no time.
Then there’s Thangapandi (Aroul Djody), minister of the ruling party, who shares a strictly ‘political’ relation with Karunakaran. His meeting with Tamil sends him chills down spine as he recollects that it was he himself who killed Nambi (the father character of Tamil, essayed by Vijay), long time ago. Pandi’s aide Thyagu (Charlie) continues to leak the former’s plans to Karunakaran, thanks to their bonding over caste.
Meanwhile, actress Anjana aka Ahalya (Miya George) develops a soft corner for Tamil after meeting each other a few times at unexpected circumstances. She seeks Tamil’s help in nabbing an anonymous pervert who constantly disturbs Ahalya. Tamil, who realises that it is Pandi’s son who has been torturing his lady love, warns the minister, thus rubbing him the wrong way. Karunakaran, too, gets annoyed with Tamil after he realises that the latter’s forsy in politics would be a threat to him. Pandi and Karunakaran now unite to finish off Tamil.
Vijay Antony has once again chosen a script which suits him. That said, an attempt to showcase him as a ‘hero’ at times should have been avoided and let his character behave for itself. His track with Miya George seems unconvincing in a few occasions and look forcefully incorporated into the otherwise decent plot. With a slew of characters, one of the positive factors of Yaman, is its neatly etched characters. Aroul and Thiagarajan, as the clever and unforgiving politicians score brownie points. Charlie, Sangili Murugan, Marimuthu and others are apt for their parts. Overall, a little more pace, doing away a duet song which appears in the second half which makes audience yawn and slight tone down of heroism would have worked wonders.
Directed by Jeeva Shankar
Produced by A. Subaskaran & Fatima Vijay Antony
Written by Jeeva Shankar
Starring Vijay Antony, Mia George, Thiagarajan
Music by Vijay Antony
Cinematography Jeeva Shankar
Edited by Veera Senthil Raj
Production Lyca Productions & Vijay Antony Film Corporation
Release date 24 February 2017
Running time 153 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
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