Review: The historical-fiction, Yaathisai, directed by Dharani Rasendran has interesting visuals and well-crafted screenplay with some powerful lines that touch upon war, male ego and the lust for power.

Set against the backdrop of the 7th century, the film introduces us to a small group called Einar who leads a nomadic life during the reign of Pandiyan dynasty, headed by the most powerful Ranadheera Pandiyan (Shakti Mithran). A young man, Kothi (Seyon), from the Einar clan, believes that his birth is destined to free his fellows from the nomadic life that they lead and go on a journey to revolt against the Pandiyas.

While he partially succeeds and captures the palace of Ranadheera Pandiyan, the second half is all about how Kothi's lust for authority, pleasure, and other wealth would put his life in misery.

Yaathisai is a film that serves as a testament to the importance of a well-crafted script in creating a quality production, regardless of budgetary constraints or anything of the sort. Right from the very beginning, every frame is aesthetically shot, capturing the essence of the era and bringing the story to life. The attention to detail is quite evident in the portrayal of the various clans and their unique customs.

A lot of research has gone into the dialect, culture, and language of the Tamils who lived in the bygone era. Even the outfits are so authentic that we get to see that most of them have covered their bodies with jewels and not cloth. The team has also recreated Dasiyattam, an older form of Bharathanatyam that was largely practised then. Amidst all this war and conflict, the script also tells us the story of Devaradiyas and their plight.

The characters are well-developed, and the performances by the cast are exellent. Seyon, Mithran, and Rajalakshmi deserve a mention. However, the core emotions of the film could have been much stronger for us to empathise with any of the central characters. Especially, the war sequences are realistic and beautifully shot despite the minimal graphics and crowd. The background score is quite effective and blends seamlessly with the visuals. The makers' decision to leave certain places in complete silence, without any score is laudable. In fact, the makers also give us a lead for a second part which is even more interesting.

Yaathisai is for those who like period dramas and people who appreciate well-crafted film.