Ravikumar’s Second Outing with ‘Ayalaan’ – A Mixed Bag of Extraterrestrial Fun and Missed Opportunities
Eight years after dazzling audiences with his time-travel directorial debut ‘Indru Netru Naalai’, R Ravikumar returns with ‘Ayalaan’, a film that invests in light-hearted sci-fi but may not possess the everlasting allure of its precursor. Unlike the first film, which was imbued with clever twists and immersive drama worth revisiting, ‘Ayalaan’ offers a safer trajectory, veering into territory that is consciously polished for family audiences.
Ravikumar doesn’t venture into ambitious terrain concerning the concept of ‘Ayalaan’. The plot centers around a power-hungry scientist (Sharad Kelkar) and his accomplice (Isha Koppikar) who scheme to unleash an apocalyptic event with a dangerous crystal. Tamizh (Sivakarthikeyan), a small-town man seeking to better his life in Chennai, inadvertently becomes humanity’s linchpin. He aligns with an alien visitor, enigmatically named Tattoo, to thwart the looming threat.
Production Woes and a Stale Start
Announced with hype, ‘Ayalaan’ straddled financial dilemmas and COVID-19 induced delays, perilously skirting the pitfall of being labelled outdated. This concern is palpable in the initial sequences, which lack the zest of novelty and tend to rush characterization, especially in Tamizh’s portrayal as an animal and nature enthusiast. A jumble of abrupt scenes and a humdrum introduction number further deflate the beginning.
Yet, the extraterrestrial’s entry revives the movie’s pulse. The alien is sheer expressiveness coupled with humor, despite actor Siddharth’s vocal portrayal missing a certain pizzazz. The dynamic between the alien and the wide-eyed, meek Tamizh stirs memories of Rakesh Roshan’s ‘Koi..Mil Gaya’, both culminating in the creation of an unintended superhero.
Science Meets Sarcasm
Ravikumar’s allure lies in his ability to lace scientific elements with sarcasm. If ‘Indru Netru Naalai’ celebrated a voice-operated car, ‘Ayalaan’ spotlights bizarre birthday gifts as a venture. Tamizh’s quest for a spaceship mirrors the disappearance of a time machine in the filmmaker’s debut. Both his works resonate with sharp dialogue delivery and humorous repartee that propels storytelling.
However, where ‘Indru Netru Naalai’ presented a focused conflict and audacious screenplay, ‘Ayalaan’ falters. Ravikumar, equipped with a star actor, squanders potential on poorly staged confrontations with one-dimensional adversaries. The threats poised by the villains remain lackluster and fail to instill a sense of urgency or fear.
Dependence on Technology and Lacking Emotional Core
Although ‘Ayalaan’ leans heavily on its technological portrayals, boasting solid visual effects, it’s not enough to captivate viewers when dramatic depth is absent. The bond between Tamizh and Tattoo is engaging, yet director Ravikumar chooses to narrate their journeys separately, diminishing the potential to craft a compelling, unified narrative that could celebrate their intergalactic kinship as beautifully as Spielberg’s ‘E.T.’.
Sivakarthikeyan, though earnest, features in yet another movie that strays from conventional star-studded ventures. The action sequences may convince, but the drama lacks the gripping terror and edge that Amy Adams’ ‘Arrival’ managed to evoke. Amid the unfolding drama, the film attempts a moralistic message, with the alien beseeching humankind for unity.
Too Simple for a World of Unbound Imagination
In an era where sci-fi imagination knows no bounds, ‘Ayalaan’s simplicity could be its Achilles’ heel. A decade ago, films like ‘Enthiran’ (Robot) thrived on straightforward templates while merging sci-fi with a moral core. ‘Ayalaan’ invokes nostalgia for ‘Enthiran’, particularly with a fire mishap scene reminiscent of the Rajinikanth hit. However, Shankar’s superior and better-funded directorial venture outshines ‘Ayalaan’ in storytelling and execution.
Despite these criticisms, ‘Ayalaan’ may yet find its charm, particularly among younger audiences who relish the spectacle of heroism playing out against a science fiction backdrop. While Ravikumar’s second film lacks the robustness of his debut, it offers a modest escapade into extraterrestrial allure—a venture into the unknown with familiar trails. ‘Ayalaan’ continues its journey across cinemas, seeking to capture the hearts of those who gaze up at the stars with wonder.
