'Poojai' Movie Review Roundup: Watchable Commercial Entertainer

Vishal's Diwali release "Poojai" has received decent reviews from the critics.

"Poojai", directed by Hari, is a complete commercial potboiler with Vishal and Shruti Haasan in the lead roles. The film also has Sathyaraj, Mukesh Tiwari, Radhika, Kausalya, Sitara, Manobala and Prathap Pothen in supporting roles.

After experimenting with his roles in the last two releases – "Pandiya Naadu" and "Naan Sigappu Manithan" – Vishal is back with a commercial entertainer, which has loads of actions, chase sequences and other stunts.

Hari is on a roll with the success of his last film "Singam". Whether he is able to score one more hit is something one needs to wait and watch.

The Telugu version of the film titled "Pooja" has also hit the screens on Wednesday. Vishal's films have a decent market in the Telugu-speaking areas and it needs to be seen if "Pooja" manages to impress the audience.

Plot: Vasu (Vishal) is a money lender who gets into trouble with a gangster (Mukesh Tiwari) as he rescues a sincere cop (Sathyaraj) from the villain. Vasu hits the gangster in a public place and the latter decides to take revenge on him and his family. How Vasu protects his family from the villain forms the crux of the story.

Critics have termed "Poojai" as a typical Hari film with lots of mass action sequences. Performances of the actors and mass elements are the plus points of the film. On the flip side, the second half falters a bit.

Song placements and repetitive action scenes have also been criticised.  

Check below the review roundup of "Poojai."

"Poojai has some interesting moments here and there, but the excitement is brought down with the insertion of forced comic sequences and unwanted melodrama," said Siddarth Srinivas of Cinemalead.

"Had the director concentrated on bringing in some more brain into the script, the film would have ended up becoming a racy tale to watch," he stated.

Performances: "Vishal is impressive as the guy who go to any extent to protect his family. The acrobatic fights look believable, because of his tall masculine body. He is excellent with expressions. Shruti Haasan is very glamorous and suited the role well," said Jeevi of idlebrain.

"Mukesh Tiwari is good as villain. Satyaraj plays a special role convincingly. Soori is entertaining as buddy of hero. This film has reasonable casting in the form of Radhika, Sitara, Kausalya, Jayaprakash, Thalaivasal Vijay, Pratap Pothan etc. Andrea Jeremiah did an item song," he said.

Technical Aspects: "Yuvan is functional in the background music and songs. Like in all Hari movies, cinematographer Priyan and editors VT Vijayan and TS Jai have delivered rapid visuals, which at certain stunt sequences don't present us opportunities to question about its implausible nature. At the same time, the stunt choreographer must be appreciated for his work in the pre-interval action block," said to Behindwoods Review Board.

"Hari who has the reputation of making mass friendly commercial entertainers tried to pull off yet another masala flick by using his tricks. He tries too hard to impress with a very weak script. Few action sequences have come out well and that is the only positive in this film besides able star cast," according to Gulte.