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

Last updated: 23 Apr 2026

Citizen (2001) Review

A review of Citizen (2001) (Tamil action, drama, mystery), directed by Saravana Subbiah. Starring Ajith Kumar, Vasundhara Das, Meena. Three prominent members of society, a judge, a police official and a district collector are kidnapped in broad daylight by a man who calls himself 'Citizen'. As CBI Officer Sarojini (Nagma) follows his trail she finds clues to a shocking mystery, of a village called Attipatthi which simply disappear... Our Rating: 3/5. Verdict: ABOVE AVERAGE. Released: 8 Jun 2001. Runtime: 2h 37m.

Citizen
ABOVE AVERAGE

Citizen(2001)

Tamil · Action, Drama, Mystery

2h 37m · 8 Jun 2001

DOP: Ravi K. Chandran | Writer: N/A

DramaActionCrime

Ratings

IMDbIMDb7.3
LetterboxdLetterboxd3.4
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB63
Rotten Tomatoes AudienceRotten Tomatoes Audience80

Our Rating

3

📖 Story

Citizen follows the story of a vigilante who takes on the corrupt system to seek justice for the common man. The protagonist, played by Ajith Kumar, leads a double life, exposing the flaws in the bureaucracy and fighting against social injustice. The narrative intertwines his personal struggles with his mission to bring about change, highlighting the challenges faced by ordinary citizens in dealing with systemic corruption.

🔍 Analysis

Citizen presents a gripping social thriller that attempts to blend action with a strong message about corruption and justice. The story is engaging, with a screenplay that maintains interest through its investigative and emotional sequences. The pacing is uneven at times; the first half sets up the premise effectively with a mix of suspense and drama, while the second half tends to slow down due to repetitive confrontations and extended emotional scenes.

The film's music and songs, though composed by an uncredited music director, complement the narrative without overpowering it. The background score effectively heightens the tension during key moments, especially in the thriller sequences. Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran adds a polished visual appeal, capturing both the gritty and emotional aspects of the story.

Overall, Citizen succeeds in delivering a socially relevant message with a commercial format, though it could have benefited from tighter editing and more consistent pacing in the latter part of the film.

🎭 Performances

Ajith Kumar: Strong and intense portrayal of a vigilante with emotional depth.

Vasundhara Das: Supportive role with limited scope but effective presence.

Meena: Emotional and convincing in her role.

Nagma: Brief but impactful appearance.

Nizhalgal Ravi: Solid supporting performance.

Devan: Effective as an antagonist.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Engaging social message on corruption and justice
  • ✓Strong lead performance by Ajith Kumar
  • ✓Polished cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran
  • ✓Effective background score enhancing thriller elements
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Uneven pacing especially in the second half
  • ✕Repetitive confrontations reducing narrative tension
  • ✕Music and songs lack memorable impact
  • ✕Some emotional scenes feel dragged

🎬 Direction & Writing

Saravana Subbiah delivers a socially conscious narrative with a commercial touch, balancing action and drama. The direction is competent, though the screenplay could have been tighter to maintain consistent engagement throughout.

📰 Critic Reviews

No critic reviews found yet.

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
7.3
LetterboxdLetterboxd
3.4
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
63
Rotten Tomatoes AudienceRotten Tomatoes Audience
80

Our Rating

3/5
★★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive40%
Neutral35%
Negative25%

Critics

Critics appreciated the film's bold attempt to address social issues through a commercial entertainer, praising Ajith Kumar's performance and the film's technical aspects. However, some reviews pointed out the uneven pacing and lack of memorable music as drawbacks.

Final Box-Office Result

ABOVE AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Citizen release in theatres?▾

Citizen released on 8 June 2001 (2001).

Is Citizen a hit or flop?▾

Citizen is declared a ABOVE AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch Citizen online? OTT release date?▾

Citizen is available on Sun Nxt. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Citizen?▾

Citizen directed by Saravana Subbiah. Produced by S. S. Chakravarthy.

Who are the main cast members of Citizen?▾

Citizen stars Ajith Kumar, Vasundhara Das, Meena, Nagma, Nizhalgal Ravi.

What is the Tollybo rating for Citizen?▾

Tollybo rates Citizen 3/5. Verdict: ABOVE AVERAGE.

What is the genre and runtime of Citizen?▾

Citizen — Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Runtime: 157 minutes, Language: Tamil.

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