Mafia review live: Will Arjun Vijay deliver another hit?
Mafia, starring Arun Vijay, Prasanna and Priya Bhavani Shankar, releases in theaters today. Helmed by Karthick Naren, the film is a cat-and-mouse thriller.
Talking about Mafia at a press meet, Arun Vijay said, “Karthick Naren is incredibly talented, and Mafia belongs to him. It is an intense film and has a phenomenal plot. Prasanna has got an interesting role to play. He is a wonderful person and a friend to me.”
He added, “I am glad I got to work with Priya Bhavani Shankar. These days, it is hard to find a Tamil-speaking heroine who has great acting skills. Priya has done a neat job, pulling off a performance-oriented role. I asked Karthick Naren if I could watch some video rushes. He insisted that I watch the final theatrical version on Friday. As a team, we are looking forward to watching the audience’s reception in theaters.”
Prasanna too praised Mafia director Karthick Naren. He said, “Karthick Naren is a producer’s delight, and I was blown away by the script. In fact, he has elevated the entire premise.” Priya Bhavani Shankar spoke about her co-actors and shared, “Arun Vijay is a positive person, and so is Prasanna. I don’t play this yet another girl-next-door role in Mafia. Karthick Naren surprised me with a different role, and I must say I quite enjoyed playing it.”
At the press meet of Mafia: Chapter 1, director Karthick Naren said, “directing Mafia was a satisfying creative experience. I promise that the film will offer something new to the audience, if not something out of the world. Don Ashok’s stunts, Gokul Benoy’s cinematography and Jakes Bejoy’s music are going to be the film's biggest pillars.”
Read more | Arun Vijay, Prasanna and others attend Mafia press meet
User @Thalapathy_Aus tweeted, “Just finished watching @arunvijayno1 Sir #Mafia #MafiaChapter1 best climax after #Thadam Sema. don’t miss it people. Waiting for #MafiaChapter2, @Prasanna_actor sir vera lvl & @priya_Bshankar was subtle but deadly.”
User @KarthiPulsar2 shared on Twitter, “#Mafia worth for watching @arunvijayno1 excellent performance and good looking ever @Prasanna_actor need more characters like this.And expected more light disappointment @priya_Bshankar did her part well @karthicknaren_M d16 ku Apram wait pannathuku worth climax twist unexpected.”
“If you are @karthicknaren_M fan,if you are expecting more after D16,#Mafia will totally disappoint you, @priya_Bshankar role is very minimal,@Prasanna_actor is an ordinary villain nothing special, @arunvijayno1 is looking smart, stylish done is job perfectly,” tweeted user @JVMugeshKumar16.
User @aravind29raj rated the film 4 stars out of 5. He tweeted, “#Mafia Watched mafia Chapter 1 really I enjoyed the screenplay is excellent and @arunvijayno1, @Prasanna_actor and @priya_Bshankar acting and screen presence also excellent and bgm mass and unexpected climax . My rating: 4/5.”
User @Dhanasekeran23 shared on Twitter, “No words to say such a clean mass entertainer @arunvijayno1 Anna acting Vera lvl @Prasanna_actor Anna a cool n calm villan one of the best film @karthicknaren_M direction Vera lvl and climax laa senjitinga. A must watchable movie in theatre #mafia. @arunvijayno1 bro.”
“MAFIA Chapter-I A flat movie with plenty of slow-mo's. Snail-like 1st phase & Okayish 2nd phase. Climax twist is the only consolation. @arunvijayno1 & @Prasanna_actor are not The Lion and The Wolf. They are Snakes !!,” tweeted @__mahesh.
User @SharmaRoshan18 tweeted, “I watched #mafiachapter1 I'm very satisfied @arunvijayno1 Anna your performance was extraordinary...@Prasanna_actor na you also. last 20 min vera level #waitingforchapter2.”
User @SARATHANIL5 tweeted, “#Mafia [3.5/5] : A No Non-sense Action thriller.. A fantastic cat and mouse game with a terrific twist at the end.. That setups a Must make sequel / Chapter 2.. Narcotics backdrop.. Limited characters.. Tempo increases as the story moves forward..”
“Self-indulgence almost derails #Mafia but it recovers just in time to set up a solid premise for a sequel. A proper #ArunVijay star vehicle with little to do for others. #Prasanna delivers, as always, in a role that, unfortunately, only has a glossy surface #mafiachapter1, posted user @TheHatmanTweets on Twitter.
“#Mafia - considering this plot,it should have been presented in a gripping manner. But movie falls flat for almost entire duration. Sadly arun vijay underutilized in his favourite genre. Nothing to rave about this movie,” said user @Vignesh89583042 via Twitter.
User @the_arbal posted on Twitter, “#Mafia one of the best films that I've seen recently. @karthicknaren_M shows such craftsmanship which is really commendable.@arunvijayno1 has ramped up his performance. @Prasanna_actor right from #Anjadhe to #Mafia, you sir show villianism with subtle nuances.”
“#Mafia Massive massive disappointment. Could do with a lot more subtlety, and with an actual hook. Hard to believe that this came from @karthicknaren_M, the guy that made #D16. Also it's high time a talent like @Prasanna_actor gets meaty roles - he hardly did anything in this 1,” tweeted @Chappli.
“Mafia - A Technically excellent film with good visuals and extraordinary music & good performance from @arunvijayno1 & @Prasanna_actor Interval bock and last 20 minutes of the film were too good. Chapter 1 creates big build up for part 2. 1st half could have been better,” said user @sathishmsk on Twitter.
User @sidhuwrites shared on Twitter, “#Mafia: Both @arunvijayno1 & @Prasanna_actor are the director's delights, elevating almost every scene with their smashing attitude, body language & diction. They bring their best to the table in the riveting climax episode of the film, which is the reason why I'll see it again!”
User @StudioFlicks posted on Twitter, “On the whole, #Mafia is a new attempt with the visual treatment, but when it comes to story, there’s nothing special as we have come across such tales many times.”
“As much as #Mafia belongs to the terrific @arunvijayno1, it gives ample scope for the versatile @Prasanna_actor to shine in a role that oozes swag and calm demeanor,” said user @pudiharicharan via Twitter.
“#Mafia the Lead given for chapter-2 is definitely a good surprise factor. Prasanna role is high on buildups & low on Villainism. 1hr 50mins runtime still feels over stretched. #Mafia could've been a single full length cat & mouse battle,” posted user @NammaOoruReview on Twitter.
User @cinemakaaran tweeted, “#Mafia movie is a decent watch and stylish movie. Lots of Guy Ritchie influence with guns and bullets raining everywhere. Dir #KarthickNaren deserves a pat on the back. @Prasanna_actor had a swag in his role.”
“#Mafia: Marvellous. @karthicknaren_M pulls off an ultra-stylized film that seeds in the details at its own pace and then goes all guns blazing at the end. Boy, wait for that electrifying climax that'll surely surprise and excite you. @arunvijayno1, what a man!” tweeted user @mjtwitz.
“All the besttttt to the entire team of #mafia especially my partner @Prasanna_actor @arunvijayno1 n @karthicknaren_M,” she tweeted.
Trade analyst Kaushik LM tweeted, “#Mafia: BLOCKBUSTER guaranteed. Superstardom awaits @arunvijayno1 . Killer twists in the end electrified the entire crowd - @karthicknaren_M Eagerly waiting for Chapter 2. THARAMANA counter-narcotics thriller, mind game.”
User @a2studoffl tweeted, “#Mafia: Running time is very crisp and keep us engaging from start to end! @karthicknaren_M does it again! Seat edge cat and mouse game! Excellent screenplay! @arunvijayno1 strikes hit and whattan energetic perfomance along with @Prasanna_actor! BGM Top. Superb.. Go for it!.”
User @VJ_C shared on Twitter, “#Mafia Review A masterpiece action movie in recent times. fascinating screenplay makes it super fun to watch. brilliant direction wat a comeback. @karthicknaren_M n great act by @arunvijayno1 @Prasanna_actor @PriyabavAnis bgm visuals on another level @LycaProductions #Blockbuster.”
“#Mafia Interval - Goes with the investigative flow. Technically made well, loved few frame lightings & heroic shots much. Wanted it to be a bit clever too,” posted user @VenkatRamanan_ on Twitter.
User @moviereviewram shared on Twitter, “Moves on a predictable pace that doesn't pull much attention. No big research or thrills in the progress to maintain hold. Break-point scene is fine that conveys Diwakar's (#Prasanna) smartness and Aryan's (#ArunVijay) lack of thinking. Conveniently written. #Mafia.”
“#Mafia - Film’s intention is to build a strong base for Chapter-2. Macho Arun Vijay, PBS & Prasanna gud. Overdose of slow motion scenes. 1 st hlf s a letdown. 2nd hlf s btr. Endg which leads to part2 is apt. Writing could hv been btr. ‘More’ Style & ‘Less’ Substance. Just ‘Okay’!,” tweeted @Chrissuccess.
“Done watching #Mafia Awesome action movie in tamil @karthicknaren_M neat dialogues and screenplay @arunvijayno1 @Prasanna_actor Both looks so stylish and rocked with their performance in movie.Background music killer, must watch in theaters for better experience,” said @suren2060 via Twitter.
Karthick Naren told indianexpress.com, “Disassociating myself from the memories of Naragasooran was painful. I was able to move on as I had a good support system. Thanks to my parents and my assistant directors. Mafia discusses the clash between two people who have conflicting ideologies and values. Though the film is set in the backdrop of Chennai, it has a westernised approach towards the gangster drama genre. It has a non-linear screenplay, but the story has been told engagingly. If Mafia turns out to be a commercial success, you can expect a sequel. The title is closely linked to the storyline. I titled the film Mafia to make sure that the film doesn't have a local flavour. Arun Vijay plays an officer from the Narcotics Control Bureau, and he was the first person we reached out to. Give him any role, he can easily pull it off. And, Priya Bhavani Shankar will be seen in a never-before-avatar. Prasanna also has done a great job. Only very few actors look effortlessly menacing without emoting much, and he is one among them. Mafia caters to the mainstream audience, unlike my first film Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru.”
User @Rockztar_1 shared on Twitter, “#Mafia - Just an average film with predictable screenplay. But the film ends with a superb punch for the second part. This film was just to set a base for the second part ! Director could have focused on screenplay rather than styles & slow motions.”
“#MafiaFromToday The first half is short, crisp, and straight to the point. It sets up really well for the 2nd half. BGM was top notch. No unnecessary scenes. So far it looks like a cat and mouse game. #mafiachapter1 @arunvijayno1 @karthicknaren_M #MafiaFromFeb21st #Mafia,” tweeted @Rajesh44599083.
“I am thoroughly enjoying this phase as an actor. The past five years, in particular, have been fantastic. The success of Yennai Arindhaal, Kuttram 23, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam and Thadam gave me the responsibility to pick my projects more carefully. I always respect young talent, and Karthick Naren is a brilliant find among the current lot. He knows what he exactly wants as a director, and I hope Mafia will put me onto the ‘next level’ as an actor. Karthick Naren and I share a very good bond. He is a bundle of talent and only shoots what is in the script. That impressed me,” Arun Vijay told indianexpress.com.