Director: A. R. Murugadoss

Cast: Suriya, Shruti Haasan

Rating: 2.5/5

7aam Arivu is bold in conception, big in execution and beautiful in packaging. But at the same time too preachy in the way things have been conveyed. No doubt an important message has been highlighted, but the tone is like getting advice from elders.

It is a bold move to highlight the talents of ancient Tamilians in a commercial movie. Since cinema is a medium which can convey a message to millions, it is also a smart decision to throw light on the travails Tamils faced in Sri Lanka. But too much of preachy tone, that too at unwanted places, mar the flow.

Bodhi Dharma (Suriya) is a Pallava prince, who is an expert at all things. Be it medicine or martial arts or genetics, he is the best. One day, he is sent to China by the gurumatha. Initially opposed, he is later accepted by everyone in the foreign land and they start worshiping him for his qualities and skills.

Cut to the present, China wants to wage a bio war against India and for which they send Dong Lee (Johnny Tri Nguyen) to spread a virus. In the meantime, Subha Srinivasan (Shruti Haasan) finds that Bodhi Dharman's DNA is similar to that of circus artiste Aravindh's (Suriya).

Was Dong Lee successful in his attempts? Was Subha able to recreate Bodhi Dharman? The climax has answers to these questions.

Suriya shines bright in both his roles. He aptly fits in the attire of a saint and and a circus artiste too. Shruti Haasan has done a great job as a debutant in Tamil cinema, grabbing a meaty role in her very first movie itself. Johnny Tri Nguyen is the right choice too for Dong Lee’s character.

The two highlights of the film are stunts and cinematography (Ravi K Chandran). Both these factors add immense value to 7aam Arivu, which has many weak points otherwise. One example is a scene in which Shruti, in broken Tamil asks a group of scientists not to insult Tamil and Tamilians.

Harris Jayaraj's music is like old wine in a new bottle, while Ravi K Chandran's cinematography is fresh. It refreshes us all through the movie.

7aam Arivu would have emerged as an enjoyable entertainer, had the director concentrated on screen play and cut down on the messages.