Last updated: 24 Apr 2026
The Pen is mightier than The Sword
Tamil · Action, Thriller
2h 10m · 11 Mar 2022
Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar | DOP: Vivekanand Santhosham | Writer: Karthick Naren, Sharfuddeen, Suhas
Ratings
Our Rating
2
Maaran follows the story of an investigative journalist who uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy involving political corruption and media manipulation. As he digs deeper, he faces threats and challenges that test his resolve and ethics. The narrative explores themes of truth, justice, and the power of the press in a society riddled with deceit.
Maaran attempts to blend a social thriller with an emotional drama, anchored by Dhanush's intense performance. The story is engaging in premise but suffers from a predictable screenplay that fails to fully capitalize on its potential twists. The pacing in the first half is steady, setting up the characters and conflict well, but the second half loses momentum with stretched sequences and a somewhat formulaic resolution.
The film's music by G. V. Prakash Kumar offers a few catchy songs that fit the mood but do not stand out as memorable highlights. The background score effectively heightens tension during investigative moments, complementing the thriller elements. Cinematography by Vivekanand Santhosham captures the urban landscape with clarity but lacks visual flair.
Overall, Maaran is a decent effort with a relevant message but is let down by uneven writing and execution. Fans of Dhanush may appreciate his earnest portrayal, but the film does not break new ground in the genre or deliver a consistently gripping experience.
Dhanush: Earnest and intense portrayal of a determined journalist, carrying the film's emotional weight.
Malavika Mohanan: Supports the narrative with a restrained and natural performance.
Samuthirakani: Delivers a solid performance as a pivotal supporting character.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Karthick Naren's direction shows promise with a focused narrative and a strong lead performance, but the writing lacks the sharpness and originality needed to elevate the film. The screenplay could have benefited from tighter editing and more inventive storytelling to maintain suspense throughout.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics generally appreciated Dhanush's performance and the film's intent but criticized the screenplay and pacing. Ratings from Indian critics such as Times of India gave it around 2.5/5, while Firstpost rated it similarly, noting the film's failure to sustain momentum. Overall, the reception was mixed to average.
Final Box-Office Result
Maaran released on 11 March 2022 (2022).
Maaran is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Maaran OTT release date not announced yet.
Maaran directed by Karthick Naren. Produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan, Arjun Thiyagarajan, T. G. Thyagarajan.
Maaran stars Dhanush, Malavika Mohanan, Samuthirakani, Smruthi Venkat, Ramki.
Tollybo rates Maaran 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Music for Maaran composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar.
Maaran — Genre: Action, Thriller, Runtime: 130 minutes, Language: Tamil.
