In Thani Oruvan, the protagonist Mithran’s friends reveal his nature, while his adversary demonstrates his capabilities. Mithran, portrayed by Jayam Ravi, is a young IPS officer driven to find and eliminate a significant criminal—the source of numerous offenses. He finds a worthy opponent in Siddharth Abhimanyu (Arvind Swami), an ambitious scientist-businessman motivated solely by financial gain. This sets the stage for the conflict in Thani Oruvan, a skillfully crafted thriller that delivers a substantial impact. Director Mohan Raja’s previous works have been respectable remakes, but this film surpasses expectations with its clever writing—a collaboration between Raja and writers Suba, whose experience in pulp fiction proves beneficial, as seen earlier this year in Anegan—and polished filmmaking style. The story gains momentum when Mithran discovers Siddharth's plan to undermine an agreement that would provide affordable medication for the needy and attempts to stop him without being detected; however, the cunning Siddharth succeeds. Recognizing he faces a persistent opponent, Siddharth initiates a pursuit with the officer. There are several memorable sequences—the assassination plot’s reversal, Mithran discovering Siddharth's visit to his residence, the moment two lives hinge on Mithran locating a listening device, and Siddharth’s negotiation with the chief minister. A notable aspect is Raja’s deliberate avoidance of typical distractions like romantic subplots or comedic interludes. Mahima (Nayanthara), Mithran’s colleague, has feelings for him, but her role extends beyond that of a mere love interest; she's intelligent—a forensic expert—and courageous, proving vital to Mithran’s fight against Siddharth. In fact, when he expresses willingness to sacrifice his life to defeat Siddharth, it is Mahima who helps him recognize the flaws in his approach to combating crime. While Thambi Ramaiah provides some enjoyable moments as Siddharth's father, these do not detract from the central narrative. Thani Oruvan’s length could be trimmed (Siddharth doesn't appear until relatively late), and there are logical gaps—such as the use of a dubbed video as evidence—that require suspension of disbelief, but these shortcomings are minor. Despite being plot-focused, the film presents well-developed characters that add believability to the somewhat improbable story. The movie isn’t hesitant in depicting Mithran's true nature: an intense young man whose principles have pushed him toward a nearly psychotic state. Crime is his all-consuming focus. His colleagues and Mahima help keep him balanced. Jayam Ravi’s physical portrayal—his deliberate steps, clenched fists, and serious expression—conveys the character’s determination but doesn't entirely capture his inner turmoil. Arvind Swami delivers an excellent performance as Siddharth. He embodies the nonchalant arrogance that warns us not to be fooled by his sophisticated appearance, which masks a hardened core, and it’s unsurprising that audiences find themselves supporting this villain when he acts against the hero. The film opens with the statement 'Show me your enemy and I'll tell you who you are.' With Siddharth, the movie demonstrates how that sentiment can be reworded to define a successful thriller: 'Show me your antagonist and I’ll show you how effective your film is.’

Source on TMDB