🎬 Beast (2022): Vijay’s Action Spectacle in a Mall Under Siege

Released: April 13, 2022

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar

Starring: Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Selvaraghavan, Yogi Babu, Shine Tom Chacko, Ankur Vikal

Runtime: 155 minutes

Studio: Sun Pictures

🎞️ Trailer:

---

Plot & Themes

Beast unfolds as a high-octane hostage thriller set inside a Chennai shopping mall. Veeraraghavan (played by Vijay), a former RAW agent haunted by past trauma, finds himself trapped when terrorists seize control of the mall, holding hundreds of civilians captive.

As the government struggles with negotiations, Veera steps up to protect the innocents, battling both external threats and his inner demons. The film combines patriotic fervor, sleek action, and Vijay’s undeniable mass appeal.

---

Performances

• Vijay dominates the screen with charisma and intensity—his action sequences and stylish demeanor anchor the film.

• Pooja Hegde plays the love interest, adding glamour and light-hearted moments amidst the tension.

• Selvaraghavan, in his acting debut, impresses as the National Security Advisor, balancing sharp dialogues with gravitas.

• Yogi Babu brings comic relief, ensuring the heavy tension doesn’t overwhelm the entertainment factor.

• Villains led by Ankur Vikal and Shine Tom Chacko provide a menacing counterforce.

---

Direction, Style & Music

Director Nelson Dilipkumar crafts Beast with stylish visuals, mixing sleek action with black comedy. While the screenplay faced some criticism for pacing, the film thrives on high-energy set pieces and Vijay’s star power.

Anirudh Ravichander’s soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon. The chartbuster “Arabic Kuthu” went viral across India and globally, dominating reels and dance floors. Other tracks like “Jolly O Gymkhana” further elevated the film’s mass reach.

Cinematography (Manoj Paramahamsa) and slick editing amplify the mall-siege thriller atmosphere.

---

Reception & Box Office

Beast opened to mixed critical reviews—praised for Vijay’s performance, Anirudh’s music, and action sequences, but criticized for its uneven screenplay.

Commercially, however, the film was a major box-office success:

• Grossed over ₹250 crore worldwide, ranking among the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2022.

• Songs, especially “Arabic Kuthu”, contributed hugely to its cultural footprint.

---

OTT & Continued Reach

Following its theatrical run, Beast premiered on Netflix and Sun NXT, reaching a global audience. Despite the mixed reviews, the film gained a cult following for its songs, Vijay’s stylish avatar, and popcorn-worthy action.

---

Final Thoughts

Beast may not be flawless, but it’s a stylish, entertaining action ride powered by Vijay’s screen presence and Anirudh’s electrifying music. For fans of mass entertainers, it offers a rollercoaster mix of thrills, comedy, and blockbuster songs that defined pop culture in 2022.

If you want a dose of Vijay’s charm mixed with mall-siege drama and foot-tapping music, Beast is worth the watch.