Movie: Test
Rating: 2/5
Banner: YNOT Studios
Cast: Siddharth, R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, Meera Jasmine, and others
Director : S. Sashikanth
Written by: Suman Kumar
Music Director: Shakti Gopalan
Producer: Chakravarthy Ramachandra, S. Sashikanth
Date: 04 April 2025
Platform: Netflix
Netflix has finally released the much-awaited Tamil sports drama TEST, starring Madhavan, Siddharth and Nayanthara in the lead roles.
Story Plot:
Arjun Venkataraman (Siddharth) is one of India’s top cricketers, but the board asks him to retire due to poor form. He is married to Padma (Meera Jasmine) and they have a son. Child actor Lirish Rahav plays the role of Aditya (Arjun’s son).
Meanwhile, Saravanan (Madhavan), a scientist awaiting government funding for his hydro-fuel project, faces increasing personal pressure. His wife, Kumudha (Nayanthara), is desperate to have a child, especially after a previous miscarriage. Doctors warn that any further delay will reduce her chances of conceiving. Saravanan’s problems are compounded by a defaulter who has lent him Rs 50 lakh. With a big cricket match approaching, the lender pressures Saravanan to repay the money immediately, planning to make huge profits by betting on the game.
Caught between financial constraints and personal turmoil, Saravanan makes a life-changing decision one that affects not only his future, but also the lives of Arjun and everyone connected to him.
Plus Points:
R. Madhavan is back with a great performance. His performance, especially in the second hour, is captivating, which helps keep the audience engaged. Siddharth plays his role with calm and restraint. Although his character is not given much to express or say, he handles it with maturity and handles the story decently. Nayanthara also does a pretty good job. Although her role is not that clear cut in the beginning, a small arc is created in the second half which adds some depth to her character.
Minus Points:
Although director S. Sasikanth manages to assemble a star-studded cast, he fails to give them meaningful and memorable roles. For a sports drama that touches on crime and emotions, the film lacks intensity. There is not a single scene that really grabs attention or leaves a lasting impression. The emotional depth could have been much better, especially in the scenes involving Siddharth. Meera Jasmine, who plays Siddharth’s wife, is not given much importance in the story. Madhavan’s performance is good, but the voice dubbing doesn’t quite match his usual delivery and affects the effect a bit.
Veteran actor Nassar is cast in a role that doesn’t add much to the story – a wasted opportunity. The rest of the characters also lack proper development and simply move along without any strong thrust.
Technical Aspects:
As both writer and director, S. Sashikanth misses a golden opportunity to transform this multi-starrer into an engaging thriller. His acting lacks power and coherence. Viraj Singh Gohil’s cinematography is visually decent in places, but it’s not enough to enhance the narrative. Shaktisree Gopalan’s music also doesn’t contribute much, and the tune fails to enhance the emotional or dramatic scenes.
TS Suresh’s editing could have been sharper – the film feels slow and stretched. A tighter cut with a runtime of less than two hours would have made it more suitable for OTT audiences.
Verdict:
Overall, Test has a talented cast but ultimately delivers a dull film. Madhavan stands out with his excellent performance, while Sidharth and Nayanthara play their roles beautifully. However, the film is marred by weak writing, slow pacing and weak emotional impact. Ultimately, Test doesn’t quite succeed – it tests your patience. Even for fans of the lead actors, this may not be the best choice for your weekend.