After just two weeks of its premiere in theatres, Karthi's Vaa Vaathiyaar has locked its OTT release date. The action comedy film, directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, hit theatres on January 14 after significant delays. It will now be released on Prime Video on January 28.
Vaa Vaathiyaar follows the story of a die-hard MGR fan, who raises his grandson, Ramu (Played by Karthi), believing he shares a special connection with the beloved star. As the boy grows into a fun-loving police officer, unexpected events put his grandfather’s life in danger, forcing him to confront new responsibilities and transform in ways he never imagined. The film stars Krithi Shetty as the female lead. Upon release, the film was met with mixed reviews from audiences and critics who praised Karthi's performance but criticised the screenplay. After a promising start of Rs 1.65 crore in India, the film's collection tapered down and managed to only close to Rs 10 crore at the end of its theatrical run.
An excerpt from CE's review of Vaa Vaathiyaar reads, "Despite having a fantastical element at the centre of things, it is Nalan’s most simplistic and straightforward film. It feels more like a compromise and less of a cinematic endeavour simply because the beats are familiar, the notes are familiar, and so is the final output, even if it is enjoyable in parts."
Vaa Vaathiyaar also faced legal hurdles as producer KE Gnanavel Raja was directed by the Madras HC to repay the dues he owed. The film marked the first collaboration between Karthi and director Nalan Kumarasamy. Vaa Vaathiyaar is the director's third feature film, after Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum (2016).
Apart from Karthi and Krithi Shetty, the film also stars Sathyaraj, Rajkiran, Anandaraj, Karunakaran, GM Sundar, Shilpa Manjunath, Ramesh Thilak, Nivas Adithan, Vadivukkarasi, Nizhalgal Ravi and PL Thenappan in pivotal roles.
Santhosh Narayanan has composed music for the film, continuing his collaboration with Nalan after Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum (2016). The rest of the technical crew includes cinematography by George C Williams and editing by Vetre Krishnan.