Watch Mersal

Mersal is an action-packed, family drama film from 2017, which tells the story of a village doctor who is a do-gooder at heart. The film stars Joseph Vijay as three different characters and features Nithya Menen and S.J. Suryah in supporting roles. The film was directed by Atlee Kumar and produced by Sri Thenandal Films. The story begins with a young girl who is brought to the village doctor, Maaran, as she is suffering from a snake bite. With his quick thinking and medical expertise, he save the girl's life. Maaran is well-respected in his village and his patients have unwavering faith in him for his services to the needy. Enter, Daniel Arockiyaraj (S.J. Suryah), whose son is admitted to the hospital with a rare medical condition. Daniel is a millionaire, who has made a fortune in the healthcare industry in the US. But when he meets Maaran, he is quick to dismiss him as a local quack. Daniel believes that science and technology can solve every medical problem, and he is convinced that Maaran is a fraud.

However, one day, Maaran's identity is challenged when he is accused of stealing medicines from the hospital. When he goes to court to prove his innocence, he finds out that someone else has been using his identity to access the pharmacy. This revelation leads to a series of events that unfold the true story of Maaran's origins and the reason for his three different avatars.

The plot takes several unpredictable twists, as the story unfolds. The film travels back in time, to the year 1980, when a young doctor named Vettri (Joseph Vijay in his first avatar) is on a mission to provide healthcare services to the poor. His altruism earns him enemies, and he is killed in a staged accident. His wife, who is pregnant at the time, dies of shock, and the baby is taken away by a stranger.

Fast forward to the present, Maaran is in a dilemma of having to deal with two identical looking strangers who cross his path, one as a magician and the other as a magician's assistant. After an altercation in the courtroom, the victim's loved ones retaliate to seek revenge on Maaran, who is helpless until Vettri returns from the dead as an unknown magician. They all team up to overcome a deadly scheme being played by a senator to cover up his family's history of medical malpractice.

The film remarkably showcases the life lessons of unity, hope, and courage through the character of Maaran and his trials. Mersal is beautifully shot, and Atlee Kumar's direction is at its finest. The film is loaded with emotions, and the way the story unfolds showcases the storytelling prowess of Atlee Kumar. The music by A.R. Rahman makes it visually and auditory a masterpiece.

The film is a visual treat as well, with stunning cinematography by G.K. Vishnu, who had also worked on Atlee's previous film, Theri. The vibrant visuals, especially during the songs, keep the film lively despite the emotionally heavy story.

Joseph Vijay delivered an outstanding performance and proved his acting mettle by playing three different characters with absolute ease. He shows great range with each character he portrays, from the simple village doctor Maaran to the flashy magician vettri. S.J. Suryah also gave a remarkable performance as the antagonist, Daniel Arockiyaraj.

In conclusion, Mersal is a powerful and thought-provoking film that tells a story of family, unity, and sacrifice. With strong performances, beautiful music, and stunning cinematography, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves a great story.