OTT Review: Sirai
By Anrwriting | Senior Film Critic
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
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Sirai, marking the 25th film in Tamil actor Vikram Prabhu’s career, released theatrically during Christmas and received a respectable response at the box office. The film has now made its OTT debut with a Telugu-dubbed version. Here’s an in-depth review.
Story:
Set in 2003, Sirai unfolds in Guntur and revolves around Srinivas (Vikram Prabhu), an Armed Reserve Head Constable. During an escort duty, a prisoner attempts to escape, forcing Srinivas to open fire, resulting in the inmate’s death. An official inquiry is ordered against him.
While the investigation is underway, Srinivas is assigned another escort duty this time transporting a convicted murderer, Abdul Rauf (L.K. Akshay Kumar). Midway through the journey, Abdul mysteriously escapes. With a court appearance scheduled the very next day, pressure mounts on Srinivas and his team to track him down.
Who is Abdul Rauf? What is his past? And will Srinivas manage to bring him back in time? The answers form the crux of the narrative.
Strengths:
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its perspective. Instead of focusing on senior police officers, Sirai tells its story through the lens of an AR constable—an angle rarely explored in mainstream cinema. Srinivas is portrayed not merely as a uniformed officer, but as a man grappling with moral dilemmas, making the character relatable and emotionally grounded.
Vikram Prabhu delivers a restrained and sincere performance. However, the film’s standout performer is undoubtedly L.K. Akshay Kumar. His portrayal of Abdul Rauf layered with pain, conflict, and quiet intensity anchors the film. The flashback sequence narrated from Abdul’s perspective is both emotional and compelling.
The film excels in building suspense, particularly during the escape sequences, the pre-climax, and the climax. The police station episode following Abdul’s disappearance and the emotionally charged courtroom scenes keep the audience engaged.
Anishma Anil Kumar performs convincingly as Kalavathi, while the supporting cast delivers solid performances.
Drawbacks:
The film’s drawbacks are minimal but noticeable. The opening act feels somewhat routine and slow, though the narration gradually picks up momentum.
Despite being the protagonist, Vikram Prabhu’s character lacks depth in certain areas. His personal life especially his relationship with his wife is underdeveloped. The flashback portions could have explored their love story and conflicts in greater detail to add emotional weight. Additionally, his performance, while decent, occasionally lacks expressive intensity.
Technical Aspects:
For a debut film, director Suresh Rajakumari shows remarkable control over storytelling and execution, handling the narrative with the confidence of a seasoned filmmaker.
Justin Prabhakaran’s background score is a major highlight, elevating both the suspenseful and emotional moments. Madesh Manickam’s cinematography complements the gritty tone of the film, while Philomin Raj’s editing keeps the proceedings largely tight. The production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is well-synced and effective.
Verdict:
Overall, Sirai emerges as an engaging crime drama with a solid screenplay and a compelling narrative approach. While Vikram Prabhu delivers a competent performance, it is L.K. Akshay Kumar who leaves a lasting impression with a powerful act. The emotional flashbacks, police station sequences, and a suspense-driven climax work strongly in the film’s favor.
Though the slow start and limited character development slightly dilute the impact, Sirai is a worthy watch for audiences who enjoy suspenseful crime dramas with emotional depth.
