Last updated: 24 Apr 2026


Tamil · Comedy, Drama
1h 56m · 11 Mar 2016
Music: Rajesh Murugesan, Javed Riaz, Shammeer Sultan, Vishal Chandrasekhar | DOP: Selvakumar SK, Suriya Rajarajan, Kugan Palani, Anend C Chandran, Mathan Gunadeva | Writer: Alphonse Puthren, Mohit Mehra, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Guru Smaran, Shameer Sultan, Roju
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Aviyal is an anthology film comprising five distinct short films, each directed by a different filmmaker. The stories explore various facets of human relationships and emotions, ranging from love and friendship to societal issues. The segments are loosely connected by the theme of everyday life experiences, presented with a blend of humor, drama, and poignant moments. The narrative structure allows for diverse storytelling styles, providing a fresh cinematic experience that reflects contemporary Tamil cinema's evolving landscape.
Aviyal stands out as a unique anthology that showcases the versatility of its directors and actors through five varied narratives. The content is rich with relatable themes, each segment bringing its own flavor and emotional depth. The screenplay is well-crafted, balancing humor and drama effectively, though the pacing varies slightly between segments, with some stories feeling more engaging than others.
The first half of the film sets a strong tone with compelling storytelling and crisp editing, while the second half maintains interest but occasionally dips in momentum. The transitions between segments are smooth, ensuring the anthology feels cohesive despite the different directorial styles. The songs and music, contributed by multiple composers, complement the mood of each story well, with the background score enhancing the emotional beats without overpowering the scenes.
Overall, Aviyal is a refreshing experiment in Tamil cinema, offering a blend of innovative storytelling and strong performances. While it may not appeal to all due to its anthology format, it succeeds in delivering meaningful narratives with a contemporary touch, supported by a vibrant soundtrack and effective background scoring.
Nivin Pauly: Natural and engaging, bringing authenticity to his segment.
Bobby Simha: Powerful and intense, effectively portraying complex emotions.
Rajeev Pillai: Subtle and nuanced, fitting well with the story's tone.
Arjunan Nandakumar: Energetic and convincing, adding freshness to the narrative.
Amrutha Srinivasan: Expressive and heartfelt, enhancing the emotional impact.
Deepak Paramesh: Solid and dependable, supporting the ensemble effectively.
Strengths
Weaknesses
The direction by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Alphonse Puthren, Mohit Mehra, Shameer Sultan, and Guru Smaran brings a refreshing variety of styles and perspectives. Each director handles their segment with a distinct voice, contributing to the film's overall diversity. The writing is sharp and contemporary, effectively capturing everyday emotions and societal nuances, though the varying pacing reflects the different narrative approaches.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 65% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics generally appreciated Aviyal for its innovative anthology format and strong performances. The film was praised for its fresh storytelling and engaging screenplay, though some noted uneven pacing and varying impact of the individual segments.
Final Box-Office Result
Aviyal released on 11 March 2016 (2016).
Aviyal is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Aviyal is available on Tentkotta. OTT date will be updated soon.
Aviyal directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Alphonse Puthren, Mohit Mehra, Shameer Sultan, Guru Smaran. Produced by Karthik Subbaraj.
Aviyal stars Nivin Pauly, Bobby Simha, Rajeev Pillai, Arjunan Nandakumar, Amrutha Srinivasan.
Tollybo rates Aviyal 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Aviyal composed by Rajesh Murugesan, Javed Riaz, Shammeer Sultan, Vishal Chandrasekhar.
Aviyal — Genre: Comedy, Drama, Runtime: 116 minutes, Language: Tamil.