Veeram

Siva's 2014 Tamil film is about a man whose word carries in his village. Vinayagam settles disputes by force and lives with his four younger brothers; they want to marry, but because he is against marriage they all keep it hidden. When he falls in love himself he has to break his own rule and promises to stay away from violence. When the woman's family comes under threat he is caught between keeping that promise and protecting them. The film runs family comedy and action together, the first half mostly humour and the second built on fights. The story keeps to the hero-centred pattern of Tamil commercial cinema and gives its women limited room. It was one of Ajith Kumar's box office pictures. Who it's for: viewers who like Tamil action comedy. Who it's not for: anyone expecting restraint; the film is founded on excess.