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Aalavandhan (2001) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 21 Oct 2026

Aalavandhan (2001) Review

Released on 16 Nov 2001, Aalavandhan (2001) is a Tamil action, crime, thriller movie starring Kamal Haasan, Raveena Tandon, Anu Hasan. Directed by Suresh Krissna. Nandu and Vijay are brothers who were abused by their stepmother during their younger days. Nandhu, who is mentally ill, decides to kill Vijay's fiancee as he visualizes her as his stepmother. Our Rating: 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Runtime: 2h 58m.

Aalavandhan
DISASTER

Aalavandhan(2001)

Tamil · Action, Crime, Thriller

2h 58m · 16 Nov 2001

Music: Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Mahesh Mahadevan, Shankar Mahadevan | DOP: S. Thirunavukkarasu | Writer: H. Banerjee, Kamal Haasan, Kamal Haasan

Thriller

Ratings

IMDbIMDb7.2
LetterboxdLetterboxd3.7
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB66
TraktTrakt68

Our Rating

2

📖 Story

Aalavandhan is a psychological thriller centered around an army officer, Vijay Kumar, who investigates the mysterious behavior of his estranged brother, Nandu. The story unfolds as Vijay tries to uncover the truth behind Nandu's violent and erratic actions, revealing a complex past filled with trauma and mental illness. The narrative explores themes of sibling rivalry, psychological trauma, and the thin line between sanity and madness.

🔍 Analysis

Aalavandhan is notable for its ambitious storytelling and innovative filmmaking techniques, especially for its time. The content delves deep into psychological themes, combining elements of thriller and drama with intense character study. The screenplay is layered and complex, employing flashbacks and hallucinations to depict the disturbed mind of Nandu, which can be both engaging and challenging for the audience.

The pacing of the film is uneven; the first half sets up the mystery and builds tension effectively, while the second half becomes more experimental and intense, which might not appeal to all viewers. The use of animation and visual effects to portray psychological states was pioneering but received mixed reactions. The songs and music, composed by a team including Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Mahesh Mahadevan, and Shankar Mahadevan, are well-crafted but are used sparingly, fitting the film's dark tone. The background score stands out for its haunting and atmospheric quality, significantly enhancing the film's mood and psychological depth.

Overall, Aalavandhan is a bold and stylistically unique film that pushes the boundaries of conventional Tamil cinema, though its experimental nature and complex narrative may limit its mass appeal.

🎭 Performances

Kamal Haasan: Delivered a powerful dual role performance, portraying both Vijay and the disturbed Nandu with intensity and nuance.

Raveena Tandon: Played a supporting role with grace, providing emotional depth to the storyline.

Anu Hasan: Provided a solid supporting performance, complementing the main cast.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Innovative use of visual effects and animation
  • ✓Strong and intense lead performance by Kamal Haasan
  • ✓Haunting and effective background score
  • ✓Bold and unconventional storytelling
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Uneven pacing, especially in the second half
  • ✕Complex narrative that may confuse some viewers
  • ✕Limited mass appeal due to experimental style

🎬 Direction & Writing

Suresh Krissna's direction is ambitious and experimental, effectively capturing the psychological turmoil of the characters. His approach to blending live-action with animation and visual effects was ahead of its time, though it resulted in a divisive reception. The writing is layered, focusing on psychological depth but sometimes at the cost of narrative clarity.

📰 Critic Reviews

No critic reviews found yet.

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
7.2
LetterboxdLetterboxd
3.7
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
66
TraktTrakt
68

Our Rating

2/5
★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

🏆 Records & Box Office

  • - The film had a high production cost and was noted for its expensive visual effects.
  • - It did not perform well commercially and was considered a box office disappointment.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive40%
Neutral30%
Negative30%

Critics

Critics praised Kamal Haasan's performance and the film's technical innovations, especially the visual effects and background score. However, many noted the film's uneven pacing and complex storyline as drawbacks. The film was recognized for its ambition but received mixed reviews regarding its accessibility to a broader audience.

Final Box-Office Result

DISASTER

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Aalavandhan release in theatres?▾

Aalavandhan released on 16 November 2001 (2001).

Is Aalavandhan a hit or flop?▾

Aalavandhan is declared a DISASTER at the box office.

What is the budget of Aalavandhan?▾

Budget of Aalavandhan is approximately ₹20 Crore.

Where to watch Aalavandhan online? OTT release date?▾

Aalavandhan is available on Prime Video, Sun NXT. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Aalavandhan?▾

Aalavandhan directed by Suresh Krissna. Produced by S. Thanu.

Who are the main cast members of Aalavandhan?▾

Aalavandhan stars Kamal Haasan, Raveena Tandon, Anu Hasan, Milind Gunaji, Kitu Gidwani.

What is the Tollybo rating for Aalavandhan?▾

Tollybo rates Aalavandhan 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER.

Who composed the music for Aalavandhan?▾

Music for Aalavandhan composed by Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, Mahesh Mahadevan, Shankar Mahadevan.

What is the genre and runtime of Aalavandhan?▾

Aalavandhan — Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Runtime: 178 minutes, Language: Tamil.

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