Watch Maanagaram

Maanagaram is a Tamil-language thriller film released in 2017 that is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film stars Sundeep Kishan, Sri, Regina Cassandra, and Charle in the lead roles, with supporting performances from other established actors. The movie is set in Chennai and takes the audience on a thrilling ride, exploring multiple narrative arcs that eventually intertwine to form a larger, cohesive story. The story evokes a feeling that everything in Maanagaram is connected, and everyone's fate is intertwined with those around them.

The film begins with an interesting sequence, where a migrant worker from North India named Babu (Charlie) arrives at the Chennai Central station. The character is initially portrayed as a seemingly helpless and naive figure who is unaware of the city's danger. Shortly after arriving, Babu gets robbed, and his phone goes missing.

Soon we meet the film's protagonist, a young man named Shri (Sundeep Kishan). Shri moves to Chennai from a small village with his girlfriend, and he's on his way to an interview in the city when he gets embroiled in a case of mistaken identity. Meanwhile, one of the other narrative arcs is about a small-time crook named Madhu (Madhusudhan Rao), who is adept at stealing cars.

The story takes a surprising turn when a Journalist named Charle (Anurag Kashyap) arrives on the scene. Charle is a filmmaker who seeks to make a film set in Chennai. He comes across a riveting and mysterious story and makes the quest to get to the bottom of it. With a chance encounter with Ganesh (Sri), the four protagonists' lives become connected in unexpected ways.

The plot of Maanagaram is brilliantly woven and keeps the audience engaged and invested in the story. The narrative flows seamlessly, with well-crafted storylines that explore the characters' psyche and motivations.

One of the film's standout features is the performances by the actors, who bring their characters to life with precision and subtlety. Sundeep Kishan is excellent as Shri, portraying the character's frustration and desperation convincingly. Sri as Ganesh is equally impressive, and his portrayal of a righteous man stuck in a constantly evolving city embodies the overall message of the movie perfectly.

Regina Cassandra, in a relatively smaller role, adds credibility to her performance, and her character's speech detailing women's daily challenges adds an emotional layer to the narrative.

Maanagaram's background score by Javed Riaz is one of the highlights of the movie. The music is pulsating and elevates the tension and thrill of the story to another level. The cinematography, too, is noteworthy, with the camera capturing the essence of a bustling city that is ever-changing and shifting in perspective.

Lokesh Kanagaraj's direction, combined with superb performances from the cast, lends a cinematic edge to what could be a straightforward crime thriller. The twists and turns that the story takes, coupled with the excellent writing, makes Maanagaram a gripping and entertaining watch.

Overall, Maanagaram is an excellent movie that stands out for its compelling narrative, tight pacing, and the performances of the cast. The film tells a story about the consequences of our actions and the way in which modernity and urbanization impact human relationships. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a smart, well-executed thriller.

Maanagaram is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.