Movie: Sirai
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Vikram Prabhu, LK Akshay Kumar, Anishma Anilkumar, Ananda Thambirajah and others
Director: Suresh Rajakumari
Streaming On: ZEE5
Sirai (2025) is a critically acclaimed Tamil thriller drama, starring Vikram Prabhu (who appeared in Ghaati) in his 25th film. Directed by Suresh Rajakumari, the film garnered unanimous positive reviews following its OTT release. Read on for our review to discover what makes it so highly regarded.
Story:
Set in 2003, Kathiravan (Vikram Prabhu) works as a head constable in the Armed Reserve (AR) at Vellore. He is under scrutiny from senior officers due to an encounter case that is still under investigation.
Amid this pressure, he is assigned another duty: to escort Abdul Rauf (LK Akshay Kumar), a convicted murderer, to the Sivagangai Court. During the journey, Kathiravan slowly learns about Abdul’s past. The rest of the film unfolds how Abdul became a murderer and what final judgment awaits him.
Performances:
Vikram Prabhu delivers a sincere and restrained performance, doing exactly what the role demands. LK Akshay Kumar is effective in his part, but it is Anishma Anilkumar who truly stands out with her natural and impactful acting. Ananda Thambirajah and the supporting cast are also well-suited to their roles.
Analysis:
Directed by Suresh Rajakumari and co-written by Tamizh, Sirai is a well-intended thriller drama with a strong message. The film succeeds in presenting police procedures in a realistic manner. Scenes involving prisoner escorts and overcrowded courtrooms, where cases often seem pre-decided, are portrayed convincingly.
The mystery surrounding Abdul’s behavior is maintained well in the first half. The sequence where the police trio misses the bus, followed by the police station episode, is particularly engaging and well executed.
The flashback portions revealing Abdul’s backstory feel quite ordinary. The familiar setup of a Hindu–Muslim conflict affecting a love story, along with an abusive alcoholic antagonist who conveniently appears, such as during the pre-climax, gives a routine feel. These elements could have been handled in a more refreshing way.
Although the film moves through a few convenient moments, it regains momentum in the last twenty minutes. The climax comes with a pleasant surprise and provides a convincing closure to the love story.
Positives:
- Performances
- Truthful Narration
- Emotional Scenes
- Climax
Negatives:
- Initial Slow Feel
- Ordinary Flashback Portions
Sirai Review and Verdict:
Sirai is a well-meaning procedural thriller that gets most things right. While the slow beginning and predictable backstory slightly affect its impact, the film impresses with natural performances, well-handled emotions, and a strong, effective climax.