Mareesan, directed by Sudheesh Shankar, brings together veteran Tamil comedian Vadivelu and acclaimed Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil in a unique project produced by R.B. Choudary under Super Good Films. The movie was released in theatres on July 25, 2025, and began streaming on Netflix from August 22, 2025. Built almost entirely on just two lead characters, the film promises an intriguing mix of drama, suspense, and emotion.

Plot Summary
Dayal (Fahadh Faasil) is a small-time thief who can’t resist stealing valuable items. Fresh out of jail, he breaks into a house, only to find Vedachalam (Vadivelu) chained inside. Vedachalam explains that he suffers from Alzheimer’s and was locked up by his son to prevent him from wandering away.

Vedachalam offers Dayal ₹25,000 if he helps him escape. Once freed, Vedachalam withdraws the money from an ATM, where Dayal notices that his account holds ₹25 lakhs. Tempted, Dayal decides to stick around. Claiming he is headed to Arunachalam to meet a friend, Vedachalam embarks on a journey—accompanied by Dayal, who has stolen a politician’s aide’s bike for the trip.

As they travel, each new address Vedachalam mentions leads to a shocking twist: the people connected to those addresses are found brutally murdered. Who exactly is Vedachalam? What is his past? And who is behind the murders? These mysteries form the crux of Mareesan’s gripping narrative.

Analysis
Right from the opening—where a trapped mouse escapes only to fall near a venomous snake—the director sets up a sense of looming danger. The interplay between Dayal, a thief pretending to help, and Vedachalam, a seemingly helpless Alzheimer’s patient, keeps the audience guessing who is using whom.

The screenplay maintains tension and steadily builds suspense. Just when it feels like two characters might not sustain the story for long, new characters enter, adding depth and intrigue. Director Sudheesh Shankar successfully explores how circumstances can transform people—turning the good harsh or guiding the wayward toward redemption. The film sustains audience interest until the very end, with universally relatable themes.

Performances
The film’s backbone is its strong story and screenplay, but the standout elements are Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu’s performances. Fahadh nails the role of a cunning yet vulnerable thief, while Vadivelu balances humor, emotion, and mystery in one of his most memorable serious roles. Their chemistry elevates the film, ensuring the narrative is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Technical Aspects
Cinematography (Shivaji): Beautifully captures scenic locations while enhancing the film’s narrative pace.

Music (Yuvan Shankar Raja): Background score adds intensity and complements emotional beats effectively.

Editing (Sreejith Sarang): Crisp and neat, ensuring the flow remains engaging without unnecessary drag.

Final Verdict
Mareesan is more than just a suspense thriller—it conveys a meaningful message: in life’s journey, selfishness must be set aside, and sacrifice embraced, or life remains incomplete. With its blend of entertainment, emotion, and moral depth, the film resonates well with audiences.