Aghathiyaa – A Siddha Medicine Class in a Horror Backdrop!
Produced by Vels Film International’s Ishari K. Ganesh and Vem India’s Aneesh Arjun Dev, Aghathiyaa is directed by renowned lyricist-actor-filmmaker Pa. Vijay. Starring Jiiva, Arjun, Raashi Khanna, Radha Ravi, and others, this film blends horror, history, and commercial elements.
The story follows Aghathiyaa (Jiiva), a struggling art director who decides to shoot a film at an old palace, investing his own money to build sets. However, unforeseen circumstances bring the shoot to a halt. Just when Aghathiyaa is in a fix, his childhood friend and love interest, Veena (Raashi Khanna), suggests an alternative—turning the palace into a haunted house attraction, similar to those in tourist hubs like Pondicherry. The plan works, drawing visitors and generating revenue. But soon, eerie occurrences and supernatural sightings disrupt their success. As Aghathiyaa and his team investigate, a dark past begins to unfold—the story of Siddharthan (Arjun), a Siddha doctor from the colonial era. Why are these spirits still restless? What happened in this palace? The rest of the film unveils these mysteries.
As expected, Jiiva delivers a standard commercial hero performance, balancing romance, comedy, and action. However, Arjun emerges as a scene-stealer. Even at this age, he appears incredibly fit and youthful, adding strength to his role. His portrayal of the British-era doctor, complete with period costumes and mannerisms, is remarkably convincing. Despite Tamil cinema’s tendency to typecast Raashi Khanna in horror films, she makes the most of her role, contributing glamour, romance, and charm. Radha Ravi, Charlie, Rohini, and Nizhalgal Ravi play supporting roles effectively, while Abhirami’s brief appearance feels like a missed opportunity. Meanwhile, Redin Kingsley, Yogi Babu, and VTV Ganesh serve as comic relief. The casting of Edwin Sonnenblick and Matilda for the British-era flashback is a well-thought-out decision.
The film’s production design is a major highlight. Art director P. Shanmugam has meticulously recreated both the present-day haunted mansion and the colonial-era setting, making it visually immersive. While Pa. Vijay ambitiously attempts to blend horror, Siddha medicine, spirituality, and comedy, the mix sometimes feels overwhelming. However, his commitment to incorporating Tamil cultural elements deserves appreciation.
Cinematographer Deepak Kumar Pathy ensures visually striking moments, enhancing the film’s grandeur. Yuvan Shankar Raja cleverly integrates “En Iniya Pon Nilave”, ensuring an emotional connect, though his background score and songs could have been more refined. Editor San Lokesh had the daunting task of managing multiple subplots, characters, and timelines, making it evident that the film required careful trimming.
Dialogues like “Paaththa Pachai Ilai, Paththa Vecha Bomb” (A green leaf when seen, a bomb when ignited) add punch to the screenplay.
Overall, while Aghathiyaa follows a familiar horror template, it serves as an engaging commercial horror film for audiences with no rigid expectations.
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