The introductory scene of Ranjith Kalidoss, played by Arjun in Nibunan , establishes quite a lot about him. He has arrived at an investigation scene and even before he heads in, he greets his juniors, Joseph (Prasanna) and Vandana (Varalakshmi). “New earrings, eh,” he tells the lady. It’s not meant to be a compliment — it’s to tell us that he has noticed it. He has kazhugu kannu (eagle eyes), as Vandana admiringly tells him.
A few scenes later, the director reminds us yet again. Ranjith’s wife (played by Shruti Hariharan, who looks a typical Gautham Menon heroine) is painting a romantic scene, but all Ranjith sees is blood and murder. He’s obsessed with crimes and the evil people who indulge in it.
One of them is out to cause him trouble; this person — revealed only in the end — is a serial killer. He isn’t content with murder, but also about committing them with a signature style. He leaves a mask on his victims. And writes four-digit numbers on their back. And all his victims have a connection to a particular case.
It’s at that point that Nibunan takes off. Director Arun Vaidyanthan seems to have devoted as much time to characterisation — there’s some cheerful bonhomie between the three leads, all apt for their respective roles — as he does to the suspense. But he does get carried away at times with lengthy scenes, like the dialogue-filled one between Arjun and Vaibhav, his brother, and the climax reveal.
Arjun’s choice for his 150th film is appropriate — there are many instances in it to justify the title ‘Action King’ bestowed on him. He plays Ranjith with a quiet sincerity that has been the actor’s hallmark in most of his landmark films. The writing though does let him down in places — especially the ones that show him as someone afflicted with Parkinson’s, which doesn't seem to have any major bearing on the rest of the story.
If you take that bit out, there’s very little difference between Ranjith and Vikram (from the wonderfully-made Vikram Vedha that released last week). Both are sincere and diligent. Both became cops because their fathers were in the force. Both have a strong nemesis. Nibunan has its share of good moments, but it comes to audiences barely a week after they’ve watched Vikram Vedha . Unfortunately, good might just not be enough these days.
