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The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Freedom' movie review: Sasikumar's socio-political thriller is bleak and exploitative
In the long list of Tamil films that substitute nuanced storytelling with noble intentions comes Freedom, a socio-political prison-break thriller starring Sasikumar and Lijomol Jose. Director Sathyasiva ambitiously adapts the real-life story of how some 43 Sri Lankan refugees (allegedly members of the LTTE) made a daring escape from their 'special camp' at the Vellore Fort — after allegedly suffering police torture for over four years in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi. Any story pegged around the Sri Lankan Civil War or the LTTE can still send ripples across Tamil Nadu, making such endeavours a tightrope act. In that regard, both Sathyasiva and Sasikumar (a consecutive role as a Sri Lankan refugee, after the acclaimed Tourist Family) deserve credit for their conviction in the story and the strive to speak out against oppression. But good intentions are never enough to make thought-provoking cinema, and except for the aforementioned intriguing outline, there's very little going for Freedom. We begin in the early '90s, following Maaran (Sasikumar) as he gets pulled into a quagmire just hours after reaching the shores of India. He meets his pregnant wife, Selvi (Lijomol), for the first time in months, but as fate would have it, the Indian Prime Minister is killed shortly by an LTTE suicide bomber at a rally in Chennai. A political turmoil ensues, and in a desperate attempt to nab the criminals, the police begin rounding up men and women from different refugee camps. Maaran is amongst those hauled away from the Mandapam camp in Rameswaram. Selvi laments how she couldn't even offer a meal to her weary husband, who had just come out of a Sri Lankan prison, and you begin to feel a lump in your throat — the disturbing event on-screen is one thing, but there are hints throughout the first act of Freedom that would make even a passive follower of Tamil cinema expect the worst. Freedom (Tamil) Director: Sathyasiva Cast: Sasikumar, Lijomol Jose, Malavika Avinash, Ramesh Kanna Runtime: 130 minutes Storyline: Sri Lankan refugees, unfairly imprisoned and tortured at a makeshift special camp, hatch a daring escape plan The subsequent sequences are blood-curdling to say the least. At a special makeshift camp (read: prison) inside the Vellore Fort, the refugees endure agonising torture and assault in the name of interrogation. The cops at this prison are under the tyrannical thumb of the sadistic, megalomaniac IPS officer Sudev Nair (naming the character after the actor reveals the shallow design), a non-Tamil who is charged to interrogate the prisoners because 'a Tamil cop might show some remorse.' It's evident that the harrowing display of police brutality is meant to manufacture shock — and to evoke an emotional response that justifies the characters' actions later — but the point is repeated ad nauseam. Those who suffer along with Maaran include an elderly man, Singeni (Mu. Ramaswamy); Chandiran (Boys Manikandan), a young man with a speech disability; and a young woman who we had seen — in a disturbingly protracted sequence — be subject to sexual abuse at the hands of a Sri Lankan cop. It's as if sensitivity and restrained portrayal of such disturbing acts find no relevance in Sathyasiva's school of filmmaking. This over-fixation on violence ensures we check out of the film's hyperreality every now and then, hoping for something nuanced to pull us back in. Alternating between the plight of the prisoners and their family members at the camp, Freedom ends up becoming so tunnel-visioned on selling the sentimentality of the story that it removes any scope for pointed political commentary. This is despite the arrival of Malavika Avinash's lawyer character; we hardly know the legal recourse she is claiming to be taking. Even Ramesh Kanna's CBI officer character, whom Sudev reports to, vanishes. In fact, a lay watching the second act of Freedom may not even get the film's political context or the backdrop. With little material to hang on to, the film picks up pace only after the prisoners hatch an escape plan in a last-ditch effort. Even then, we have to endure some tedious stretches before we get to the escape itself. Freedom is a disturbing attempt at exploiting the empathy of the audience. It is neither nuanced, nor does it dig into the larger narrative of the plight of Sri Lankan refugees, nor factors in anything concrete about police brutality — a social evil that has become a major talking point in Tamil Nadu (the film is releasing when the state is reeling from the shock of the custodial death of Ajith Kumar). It's exhausting to watch filmmakers repeatedly train an insensitive lens on an important topic in the guise of being well-intentioned. Perhaps it's time filmmakers who claim to speak for humanity start believing in the audience's capacity for empathy. Freedom is currently running in theatres
India Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Freedom review: Sasikumar's action drama, based on true story, is lost opportunity
The early 90s were testing times for Sri Lankans. For those who grew up listening to the gut-wrenching stories of torture and killings amid a civil war. Any story that's centred on Sri Lanka will always hold high emotional intensity. When a filmmaker crafts a story based on Sri Lanka, political correctness aside, the film should encapsulate the trials and tribulations that the people went through. 'Freedom' is one such film which is inspired by true events, which have ample scope to move you, shock you and enthral you. But, did the film manage to make the desired impact? Let's find out!advertisementIn 1991, many Sri Lankan refugees sought shelter in Tamil Nadu and were put in camps all across the state. However, when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, these refugees became suspects to the police. The police took some of the men and women into the camps for investigation and held them captive at the Vellore Fort. They chose Vellore Fort because of the high walls and trenches surrounding the old (Sasikumar), a revolutionary among his peers, is among the people who were held captive. In the name of the investigation, they are harassed, brutally injured and tortured by Tamil Nadu police, who have no mercy. Years pass, but the investigation is far from over. After losing patience, Maaran and the other inmates devise a plan by digging a tunnel to escape the fort. Do they succeed in their attempt? Director Sathyasiva's 'Freedom' chronicled the events of the aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in Sriperumbudur. It's been decades since the Sri Lankan war and the topic always stands relevant. The film starts on a sombre note with people getting displaced and getting sentimental about leaving their homes. To see hordes of people living in tents on the shore of a beach and in refugee camps stings you and reminds you of the horrific days. 'Freedom' naturally had a story that could strike a chord with the audience. However, Sathyasiva's film fails to capitalise on the intensity of the story with its sloppy execution. The initial stretches of the film expose police brutality to a large extent. We hear testimonies of how pregnant ladies suffer in these refugee camps, people complaining about a lack of basic amenities not once, but again and again. It feels like the filmmaker forgot that this is a visual medium and tells us what's happening instead of just showing film also has an overdose of physical violence, gore and thoughtless camera gaze. For example, a police officer singles out a refugee and looks at her with ill intentions. The camera moves where his eyes move, capturing the woman from her head to toe, till he unties her skirt. The same goes for violence. We get that the police are beating these innocent men to a pulp. But, the camera zooms in on their injuries - both insensitive and inappropriate. advertisementPolitically, 'Freedom' should have taken a more wholesome stand. Instead, it casually indulges in slandering Kashmir. The jailbreak episode is exciting in itself. However, the filmmaker doesn't show it in a way that makes the audience sit on the edge of their seats. The whole episode leaves us with more questions than as Maaran, is earnest in a Sri Lankan role, fresh after the success of 'Tourist Family'. Lijomol Jose played the role of Selvi, who was a pregnant actor when she arrived in Tamil Nadu. She then becomes a mother navigating the struggles of being a single mother in a refugee camp. With limited screentime, the actor has done her best. But, the lip sync issues dilute the impact. Sudev Nair is brutal as an investigator. However, his one-note character doesn't let us take him seriously.'Freedom' could have been a film offering a lasting impact. However, it feels like a lost opportunity.- Ends2 out of 5 stars for 'Freedom'.Tune InMust Watch
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shoot at Site: This prison break drama based on true events will see Sasikumar playing a Lankan refugee yet again
We walk into the set of filmmaker Sathyasiva's upcoming project that is based on a true incident and strike a conversation with him and the protagonist, Sasikumar... Sasikumar , who is fresh off the success of Tourist Family , is once again stepping into the shoes of a Sri Lankan refugee in director Sathyasiva 's Freedom. When we visited the set of the film, which also stars Lijomol Jose , the final day of shoot was underway. Amidst their packed schedule, Sasikumar and Sathyasiva spoke with us about the film and what it represents. 'THE FILM IS ABOUT A PRISON BREAK THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE '90S' According to Sathyasiva, who previously helmed films like Kazhugoo and 1945 , ' Freedom is based on a true story about a prison break that took place in Tamil Nadu in the '90s.' Touching upon Sasikumar's character, he said, 'After Tourist Family, Sasikumar sir is once again portraying a Sri Lankan Tamil in this film. Interestingly, my film and Tourist Family , which became a big success, were shot simultaneously. I hope Sasikumar sir will also be appreciated for this film.' 'THIS FILM COULD BE AN IMPORTANT ONE IN LIJOMOL'S CAREER' The filmmaker also spoke about Lijomol Jose's presence in the film, as well as the contribution of the technical crew. 'After Jai Bhim , Lijomol Jose has been very selective with the scripts she has taken up. So, I hope Freedom becomes an important film in her career. A bunch of proven technicians, like composer Ghibran and cinematographer NS Uthaya Kumar, have also worked on this project, and they've been very supportive,' he shared.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sasikumar's ‘Freedom' teaser sparks massive buzz ahead of July release
The film 'Tourist Family', starring Sasikumar, was released on May 1 and quickly became a blockbuster hit. The movie resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, amassing a box office collection exceeding ₹75 crore. This outstanding success has further cemented Sasikumar's reputation as a bankable star in Tamil cinema, while also highlighting the growing appeal of meaningful and socially relevant storytelling. 'Freedom' teaser goes viral ahead of July 10 release Building on this momentum, Sasikumar's next venture 'Freedom' is scheduled for release on July 10. The recently released teaser for the film has gone viral on various social media platforms, sparking widespread interest and anticipation. Fans and cinephiles alike are eager to see how this intense narrative unfolds on the big screen, with many praising the teaser's gripping visuals and dramatic tone. A raw and intense glimpse The teaser of 'Freedom' sets an intense tone with its gripping portrayal of a high-stakes heist thriller. The visuals are charged with raw energy, showcasing Sasikumar in a role filled with emotion and grit. The brief glimpses of action sequences and suspenseful moments hint at a tightly woven narrative full of tension and adrenaline, instantly capturing the audience's attention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Ciudadela (ver precio) Verisure Undo Overall, the teaser effectively builds curiosity and excitement for what looks to be a thrilling ride. Strong cast and music set the stage Directed by Sathyasiva, the film features a talented ensemble cast including Sasikumar, Lijomol Jose, Malavika, Bose Venkat , Ramesh Khanna , and Boys Manikandan. The evocative background score is composed by Gibran, adding emotional depth to the intense narrative. Given Sasikumar's consistent track record of successful and impactful films, 'Freedom' is widely expected to be another milestone in his career, delivering a strong social message while engaging audiences with thrilling storytelling. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
