Dharma Durai movie review: Tamannaah & Vijay Sethupathi starrer gets mixed response from critics

Dharma Durai directed by Seenu Ramasamy released on August 19.

Tamil film ‘Dharma Durai’ directed by Seenu Ramasamy was released yesterday (August 19). The movie stars Tamannaah as Subhashini and Vijay Sethupathi as Dharmadurai in the lead roles. This particular flick is not like the usual Tamil films. It is not high on melodrama like we regularly see in Tamil movies. If you read what critics have to say about the film, you’ll understand the subtle way in which this movie has been made and it was something unexpected. But still there are some portions that the critics felt were hammered.

‘Dharma Durai’ also stars Aishwarya Rajesh and Srushti Dange in supporting roles. So here is what the critics have to say about the movie produced by R K Suresh. (ALSO READ: Tamannaah Bhatia to make Malayalam debut with Kammarasambhavam)

Desi Martini: Dharma Durai is a decent feel good drama. It’s definitely not a path breaking film in Kollywood but has its moments, thanks to Vijay Sethupathi’s towering performance and strong female characters including Raadhika, Tamannaah Bhatia and Aishwarya Rajesh. You can watch Dharma Durai once for the theme and amazing performances, you will not be disappointed!

The Hindu: Had the director Seenu Ramasamy (who hints at his unreleased Idam Porul Yaeval in a line of dialogue) focused on just these story beats, he might have ended up with something as moving as his Neerparavai, which also dealt with alcoholism and star-crossed love. That sadly underappreciated film swept us along in a sea of emotions. Dharmadurai leaves us dry-eyed, despite much potential for drama.

Hindustan Times: Seenu Ramasamy’s Dharmadurai may appear too simplistic in today’s complex world of intrigue and perfidy, may even been lambasted for veering towards the coincidental. Even a trifle preachy in parts. But it is a film that has been scripted with subtlety and helmed without the melodramatic — which Tamil cinema is notoriously renowned for.

Sify Movies: Seenu Ramasamy’s Dharma Durai is a neat, feel good drama which basically deals about an alcoholic doctor and how he gets back his lost life. The film mainly works because of aptly written characters and powerful performances. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s songs and background score are the biggest strength that even normal scenes get elevated because of his work. Also, Yuvan’s choice of maintaining silence in many scenes has actually helped for the mood and flow of the movie. Sukumar’s top angle shots in capturing the lush green locale Theni and Tenkasi looks great on big screen, he is yet another pillar of the film.

Firstpost: The story is wafer thin and there are too many coincidences in the narration. The plot twists are all commercial and at times too far-fetched. The film moves at a leisurely pace and loses its fizz with an all is well that ends well, but abrupt climax. Dharma Durai is a feel good family entertainer that works to a large extent due to Vijay Sethupathi, an actor of substance.

So that’s what the critics had to say about the film. If you have watched the film, then let us know your views in the comment section below.