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Vaaimai (2016) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 24 Apr 2026

Vaaimai (2016) Review

Vaaimai (2016) is a Tamil crime, drama film directed by A. Senthil Kumar, starring Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Prithvi Pandiarajan, Manoj Bharathiraja. A judge decides to bring back the jury system to decide if a woman, who is alleged to have helped her son in assassinating a Gandhian leader, should be hanged or walk free. Our Rating: 1.25/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 8 Sept 2016. Runtime: 1h 35m.

Vaaimai
DISASTER

Vaaimai(2016)

Tamil · Crime, Drama

1h 35m · 8 Sept 2016

Music: Augath | DOP: Rasamathi | Writer: A. Senthil Kumar

Ratings

IMDbIMDb3.8
LetterboxdLetterboxd0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB30
TraktTrakt26

Our Rating

1.25

📖 Story

Vaaimai is a courtroom drama centered around a high-profile case involving family disputes and legal battles. The story unfolds as the characters navigate through the intricacies of law and personal vendettas, revealing hidden motives and emotional conflicts. The narrative attempts to blend legal proceedings with family drama, aiming to deliver a message about justice and morality.

🔍 Analysis

Vaaimai attempts to deliver a gripping courtroom drama but struggles with an uneven screenplay that affects the overall engagement. The story, while having potential, is marred by a predictable plot and lackluster character development. The pacing is inconsistent; the first half is relatively slow with excessive exposition, whereas the second half picks up slightly but fails to maintain tension throughout.

The screenplay lacks the sharpness expected from a legal drama, with dialogues that occasionally feel forced and melodramatic. The songs and music by Augath do not leave a lasting impact and seem disconnected from the narrative, serving more as interruptions than enhancements. The background score is functional but does not elevate the emotional weight of the courtroom scenes or dramatic moments.

Cinematography by Rasamathi is competent but does not bring any distinctive visual style to the film. Overall, Vaaimai falls short of creating a compelling courtroom drama experience, hindered by its writing and execution despite earnest performances from the cast.

🎭 Performances

Shanthanu Bhagyaraj: Delivers a sincere performance but is limited by the weak script and character depth.

Prithvi Pandiarajan: Provides a steady presence, though his role lacks significant impact.

Manoj Bharathiraja: Adequate performance but overshadowed by the film's narrative flaws.

Goundamani: Offers moments of comic relief, though these are sporadic and do not blend well with the film's tone.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Concept of a courtroom drama with family conflict
  • ✓Some earnest performances by lead actors
  • ✓Occasional comic relief by Goundamani
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Predictable and weak screenplay
  • ✕Inconsistent pacing with a slow first half
  • ✕Songs and music fail to integrate with the story
  • ✕Lack of emotional depth and tension in courtroom scenes

🎬 Direction & Writing

Director A. Senthil Kumar's attempt to craft a courtroom drama is commendable in concept but falters in execution. The writing lacks the necessary sharpness and engagement, resulting in a film that struggles to hold audience interest. Direction does not sufficiently elevate the material, leading to a disjointed narrative flow.

📰 Critic Reviews

No critic reviews found yet.

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
3.8
LetterboxdLetterboxd
0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
30
TraktTrakt
26

Our Rating

1.25/5
★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive20%
Neutral30%
Negative50%

Critics

Critics generally pointed out the film's weak screenplay and uneven pacing. While performances were noted as sincere, the overall reception was lukewarm due to lack of engaging storytelling and ineffective use of music and background score.

Final Box-Office Result

DISASTER

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Vaaimai release in theatres?▾

Vaaimai released on 8 September 2016 (2016).

Is Vaaimai a hit or flop?▾

Vaaimai is declared a DISASTER at the box office.

Where to watch Vaaimai online? OTT release date?▾

Vaaimai is available on Tentkotta. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Vaaimai?▾

Vaaimai directed by A. Senthil Kumar. Produced by S. Thamizhini, S. Mani.

Who are the main cast members of Vaaimai?▾

Vaaimai stars Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Prithvi Pandiarajan, Manoj Bharathiraja, Thyagarajan, Ramki.

What is the Tollybo rating for Vaaimai?▾

Tollybo rates Vaaimai 1.25/5. Verdict: DISASTER.

Who composed the music for Vaaimai?▾

Music for Vaaimai composed by Augath.

What is the genre and runtime of Vaaimai?▾

Vaaimai — Genre: Crime, Drama, Runtime: 95 minutes, Language: Tamil.

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