Venkat Prabhu’s ‘Mankatha’ starring the one and only Ajith Kumar is getting re-released in theatres after a long gap of 10 years. Released in 2011, the film was a huge success leading to Ajith’s makeover, and changed the commercial template in Kollywood. Now, after a decade, the film is coming back to theatres on January 23.
Ajith’s iconic grey-shaded avatar
Considered one of Ajith Kumar’s best portrayals of his career, 'Mankatha' is the actor’s landmark 50th film which stood out because it presented him in a grey/negative shaded role unusual for an actor of his stardom at the height of his career. Ajith Kumar plays a conniving and corrupt cop who has been suspended: Vinayak Mahadev. His cavalier action hero manner, his villain vibe, and his utter contempt for the typical chains of heroism were not only endearing to viewers, but also drew acclaim from critics; Vinayak Mahadev is one of the best anti-heroes in Tamil cinema.
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The movie’s thrilling plot is about a mastermind robbery of Rs. 500 crore black money earned through cricket gambling. Vinayak accompanies a strange assortment of personalities, each with their own reasons, to execute the heist. The result is an exhilarating expedition, complete with treachery, deceit, and unexpected turns that have an adrenaline-jacked rollercoaster experience, making you at the edges of your seats! Venkat Prabhu’s novel, comedic storytelling, and intelligent conversations make this film a real treasure as a suspense thriller, even to this day!
'Mankatha' - A timeless entertainer for fans
Adding to the mass appeal of the film is the stellar lineup of cast comprising of Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Rai Lakshmi, Anjali, Andrea Jeremiah, Ashwin Kakumanu, Vaibhav, Premji, Mahat Raghavendra, Jayaprakash, Aravind Akash, Subbu Panchu and others. The energetic and thumping music score and background score by Yuvan Shankar Raja enhanced the movie, as the songs and themes are still topping the charts. With the release of the movie again, ‘Mankatha’ is now added to the list of box office Tamil films which are re-released, making it a cult film still rocking the audiences with its undying frenzy.