However, to give the film it’s due, Aran is watchable in parts. Former commando now writer-director Major Ravi and his cinematographer Thiru’s camera creeps into Kashmir valley to shoot insurgency prevailing there. Ravi gives a fairly accurate account of the ground situation in the valley. He also explains what goes through the mind of the members of a special elite commando group who are actually fighting terrorist who use hit and run strategy on soft targets like a group of school children. The commando’s hands are literally tied as the government sitting in Delhi takes a soft stand on militancy fearing communal backlash.

Like Hollywood movies made on the US army and buddy-buddy friendship between an officer and his men, Aran is also about the male bonding between Major Mahadevan (Mohanlal) and Jaikumar (Jeeva). Mahadevan is a veteran who has seen the ugly face of terrorism which has wiped his family (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) off. He has immense trust in his lieutenant and buddy Jai who is a sharp-shooter and a lovable guy.

Major Ravi knows Kashmir like the back of his hand as he shows how the terrorist headed by an Afghani Nawab is on a mission to blow up Kashmir holiest of holy sites the Hazaratbal Mosque to create communal tension in India. The locals are forced into terrorism by the Afghani mercenaries. How Major Mahadevan and Jai foil the attempts of the terrorist is what the story is all about. The message is loud and clear that the terrorist are attempting to whip up passion in the valley as they start the Jihad or the ‘holy war’!

The valor and final sacrifice shown by the elite force is brilliantly depicted by Ravi with superb lighting and camerawork of Thiru, a major highlight of Aran. Joshua Sridhar’s music is pleasing and the, “Mukile..Mukile…” number is one the melodious tunes in recent times. On the downside, the seriousness of the plot has been watered down with unwanted comedy scenes of Ganja Karuppu, Ramesh Kanna, VMC Haneefa & Co. A lot of so-called heroism has been thrust on Jeeva character which stands out like a sore thumb. There is no need for characters like Gopika and Parvai Muniyamma in the film other than for sentiments and puerile comedy. And the prolonged rape scene of Kasmiri women by Afghani terrorists group is nauseating.

The makers have done great injustice to Mohanlal by using Rajeev’s voice to dub for him. Still the actor without his voice has come up with an amazing performance as Major Mahadevan. The anguish in his face fighting unknown terrorist and in the final climax scenes he is riveting. The gifted Jeeva is good especially in the climax and the way he romances Gopika by playing to the gallery. On the whole, Aran is mixed bag but the last 20 minutes of the film is spellbinding.

Verdict: Watchable