India, Aug. 30 -- When a project has the stamp of Fahadh Faasil, we expect some sort of spark in it, given that he has led with fine examples such as Maheshinte Prathikaaram, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, and Kumbalangi Nights, to name a few. Unfortunately, that inkling proves to be a foolish expectation here with the actor's choice to do a film like Maareesan. It is a ridiculously insensitive film that weaponises serious issues like Alzheimer's disease and child sexual abuse.

Picture this. It is 2025, and we are still greenlighting projects that treat Alzheimer's disease like a narrative scapegoat. It is merely a projection. In Maareesan, Vadivelu's character Velan first appears in handcuffs. A local, wayward thief, Dhaya (Fahadh Faasil...