Movie Name : Good Bad Ugly
Release Date : April 10, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Ajith Kumar, Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Jackie Shroff, Prasanna, Karthikrya Dev, Redin Kingsley, Yogi Babu, Simran, and others
Director : Adhik Ravichandran
Producers : Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar
Music Director : GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : Abinandhan Ramanujam
Editor : Vijay Velukutty
Related Links : Trailer
Good Bad Ugly is the latest Tamil film starring Kollywood star Ajith Kumar. It hit the big screens today and was simultaneously released in Telugu. The film arrived amid decent expectations. Check out our review to find out how it fares.
Story:
AK (Ajith Kumar), also known as Red Dragon, is a former gangster who has spent 18 years behind bars. As his son Vihaan (Karthikeya Dev) turns 18, he wishes for his father—unaware of his criminal past—to be by his side. AK is released from prison, only to discover that Vihaan has been arrested in a drug case. Determined to protect his son, AK re-embraces his dark past and sets out on a ruthless mission to track down those responsible. His hunt leads him to the twin brothers, Jammie and Johnny (Arjun Das), who are at the heart of the chaos. Who exactly is Red Dragon? Why did he give up his gangster life? What sent him to prison in the first place? Can Vihaan clear his name and walk free? And what secrets lie buried in AK’s violent past? All these questions unfold on the big screen.
Plus Points:
Ajith Kumar returns to the big screen in style, and Good Bad Ugly delivers the kind of massy, energetic presence fans have missed for a while. With his vintage charm and stylish screen presence, Ajith dominates the frame, and director Adhik Ravichandran deserves credit for bringing back this fan-favorite version of the star.
Trisha makes a brief appearance but looks graceful, adding charm to her scenes. Arjun Das, the antagonist, puts in a sincere effort and tries to make the character interesting, though the impact is limited.
Some standout elements include Ajith’s throwback looks, his backstory — particularly the Photoshoot sequence — and a surprise cameo from Simran. These moments are clearly crafted for fans and do strike the right chord. The way the flashback is narrated is engaging.
Minus Points:
While the film succeeds in showcasing Ajith’s style, it stumbles when it comes to story and emotional depth. The plot is straightforward and lacks the suspense or surprises that could have elevated it into something more gripping.
Adhik Ravichandran seems more focused on presenting Ajith stylishly than on building a compelling narrative. As a result, the story’s emotional core suffers, especially in the second half, which fails to maintain the momentum built before the interval.
Arjun Das, though earnest, doesn’t quite fit the role of a powerful villain opposite Ajith. Jackie Shroff is underutilized, appearing in just a handful of scenes with little impact.
Supporting actors like Sunil, Prasanna, Prabhu, Redin Kingsley, and Simran are used mostly to elevate Ajith’s character. While such moments are typical in a star vehicle, the constant glorification feels overdone and takes away from the overall storytelling.
The father-son dynamic between Ajith and Karthikeya Dev doesn’t land emotionally, and the performances in these scenes feel underwhelming. Dubbing for several supporting characters is noticeably poor, and logical inconsistencies creep in frequently under the guise of elevation.
Technical Aspects:
Adhik’s vision to present Ajith in a sleek, stylish gangster role is partly successful. The visuals are well-crafted, and the first half is edited neatly to maintain a fast pace. Abinandhan Ramanujam’s cinematography looks polished, and the overall production design is decent.
However, GV Prakash Kumar’s music is underwhelming, except for a few elevation scenes where the background score works. Dubbing quality remains a weak point throughout.
Verdict:
On the whole, Good Bad Ugly works only in bits and pieces — largely riding on Ajith’s screen presence. He looks sharp, brings back his vintage flair, and commands the screen with style. A handful of moments are sure to please his loyal fans. But beyond that, the film stumbles with a weak plot, lack of emotional weight, and a second half that loses steam. Outside of Ajith’s performance, not much leaves a mark. It’s a modest watch for fans, but falls short as a solid gangster drama.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
