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Director: K.S. Ravi Kumar
Cast: Ajit Kumar, Meena, Kiran, Karunas, Pepsi Vijayan, Pyramid Natrajan,
Sujatha.
 After experimenting with some new directors, many of whom having failed him, Ajit turns to an experienced hand. And this time the gamble seems to have paid off. For the actor teaming with director Ravikumar has resulted in a film that is fast paced and enjoyable. Providing the audience with a Diwali fare that is worth the money they have spent.
Ajit plays the dual characters, one of a bus conductor who is also a Robinhood of sorts; the other a crippled spastic with a perpetually foolish grin. The actor has demarcated the two roles splendidly, proving yet again that given a suitable role and a competent director to guide him, he can be depended upon to turn in a creditable performance. Earlier it was 'Aasai', then 'Vaali', then 'Mughavari' and now it is 'Villain'.
Ajit, accompanied by accomplices Meena and Ramesh Kanna, rob the rich of their ill-gotten money, the amount sent to support various orphanages across the state. One of them being the institution where Ajit's twin is taken care of. At times, at the scene of crime, is spotted a spastic cripple, whom the cops even escort to the institution where he belongs to. But it is petty thief and conman Karunas who soon catches on that there is more to it than meets the eye. But the police turn a deaf ear to his claim that the cripple was a fake, and in fact was the robber they were hunting for. The flashback scene where rowdy Pepsi Vijayan carries away the spastic twin, breaks his limbs and forces him to beg with other children of his kind, and the other twin does the rescue act is a touching one. The director's attempt to bring in some sentiment in this no-hold-barred entertainer! The final confrontation is naturally
between Ajit and his tormentor
Vijayan.
 Meena has something worthwhile to do on screen as Ajit's accomplice with her one-sided love. Kiran of course is there for her body display, which she does with unabashed enthusiasm. Only, she doesn't have the hour-glass figure like that of Simran, to make it look classy.
'Villain' is a film that would satisfy Ajit's fans, and after a series of flops it is a well deserved success for the handsome actor.
Malini Mannath
published on 22nd Nov 2002
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