Vaibhav’s Sixer is supposed to be a funny film. Remember cook Kandhasamy, Goundamani’s famous role from Chinna Thambi where he plays a man suffering from night blindness aka 'maalaikann'? How much funnier would it be if such a character played the film’s hero, the makers must have thought. Some ideas sure do sound fantastic on paper.
The film’s very first scene is an elaborate show of just how much the hero, Aadhi (Vaibhav) readies himself before 6.00 pm every day. He jumps, skids and rolls down, rushing from the construction site where he’s a site engineer to reach his house safely. His friend waits with his bike revving so this Cinderella can reach home before dusk falls.
Even while his daily life proves to be a struggle for survival, his parents’ (Ilavarasu and Sriranjani) only concern is Aadhi’s marriage and this is cue for some body shaming while going through prospective brides' photos. Then there’s actor Satheesh playing Aadhi’s friend, doing what he does best - bad jokes, insults, more bad jokes.
Pallak Lalwani plays Krithika, a TV journalist who wants to bring focus to a sensitive social issue.. but don’t worry, this is only for the first 10 minutes, mainly for the meet-cute. The hero has to meet the heroine at her workplace, the wind has to blow over his lecherous supposedly smitten face, indicating love at first sight. Soon after, Pallak plays the hero’s lover.
Now for the villains. It’s post 6.00 pm and Aadhi is sitting on the beach, listening to some good music while a crowd of protesters gather around him, demanding the arrest of one character named very similar to Nirmala Devi and a minister. This is where all three of them meet - hero-heroine-villains.
While the villains, bad minister and his rowdy brother, mistake him for the crowd’s leader, Krithika who is there to cover the event is simply awe-struck by his valour. All the while, Aadhi is oblivious to what’s happening around him as he’s so unaware of the protesting crowd and that’s how high his headphones' volume is.
The film’s story meanders all over, not quite falling into place. Aadhi tries to impress Krithika even while the rowdies try to kill him for foiling their plans. For the sake of comedy, homosexuality and mental illness is dragged down the mud. These scenes might make you want to retch. For the last time, homophobia is not funny. The film also manages to make fun of MeToo (with Radha Ravi in the cast, that isn't a surprise).
Even though Aadhi has the vision impairment, he’s in top condition to give some punches. Radha Ravi plays Krithika’s father with a strange condition, although this isn’t anything medical - he can’t stop drinking after 6.00 pm, and when he does, he does not remember any events from that evening the following morning. But, it all comes back to him in the evenings, when he’s drunk once again.
Sounds strange? Wait till you watch the climax fight. This film manages to ruin an interesting premise, leaving us with disappointing performances and bad jokes.
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the series/film. TNM Editorial is independent of any business relationship the organisation may have with producers or any other members of its cast or crew.