Maayakoothu Review – A Compelling Story, Cramped by Scope

Maayakoothu follows the story of Vasan, a successful writer known for his weekly column Thosar Kathai. Currently crafting a layered new narrative, Vasan’s story features a maid falsely accused of stealing ₹2000, a gangster notorious for 49 murders preparing for his 50th kill, and a 12th-grade student desperately aiming for MBBS admission. But what begins as fiction turns alarmingly real when these characters appear inside the writer’s home — leading to an unexpected chain of events packed with tension and twists.

With a crisp runtime of 105 minutes, director Raghavendra deserves appreciation for maintaining narrative tightness. The screenplay is the standout element — smartly structured, keeping viewers intrigued with layered character arcs and a sense of unpredictability. Seamless editing by the film’s editor enhances the flow, particularly through scene-end transitions that often deliver mini-twists, making the screenplay–editing combo one of the film’s greatest assets.

Performances are convincing: Nagarajan Kannan portrays Vasan with subdued emotional balance and fits the role of an observant writer well. Gayathri, playing his wife, leaves a mark with her grounded emotional performance. Dheena adds intensity as the gangster, offering a solid presence.

However, the film’s ambition slightly exceeds its production value. While the narrative feels like reading a gripping novella, visually it doesn’t meet the same standard — partly due to a tight budget. Certain technical aspects, particularly cinematography, fall short and dilute the immersion. This story might have been even more effective as an audiobook or a stage play, given its strong reliance on writing and narrative twists.

Still, Maayakoothu showcases promising storytelling and inventive structure. With a better budget, this could’ve transformed into a striking piece of cinema. Let’s hope the team gets that chance in their next outing.