Cobra is a Tamil action thriller written and directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu. Vikram, Srinidhi Shetty, Irfan Pathan, Roshan Mathew, Mirnalini and Meenakshi form the core cast of the film. The film is produced by S.S. Lalit Kumar under the banner Seven Screen Studio. The distribution rights were secured by Red Giant Movies.
Madhiazhagan, a Maths professor, becomes a prime suspect when Interpol officer Aslan (Irfan Pathan) draws similarities between Madhi and a criminal named Cobra.
Every film of Vikram is a specimen for his multi faceted capability and this film is no different to any other. He is simply superb in giving life to the character he portrays but that alone cannot engage a single dimensional screenplay. Srinidhi Shetty decorates the screen with her charming presence. Irfan Pathan as an Interpol officer has tried his best in the unknown foreign pitch. The entry of Roshan Mathew into Tamil movie industry hasn't been smooth as his role is overbearing at every instance. KS Ravikumar, Robo Shankar and Mia George play their short roles well.
Songs of A.R. Rahman stands out from the background score. Adheera and Thumbi Thullal provide the celebration aura in theatres. Bhuvan Srinivasan aids in limiting scenes. Harish Kannan delivers splendid visuals, especially the abroad sequences for the underwhelming script. A three hour long film is sure to face engagement issues as it is the case with Cobra.
Vikram shoulders the entire film through his usual gimmicks. If not for Vikram the film would have become a tedious watch. The stretched, convoluted and contrived screenplay barricades every other positive aspect of the film. The interval revelation tends to free the film out of its misery but then the sequences that follow makes the misery inevitable.
Ajay Gnanamuthu has tried to employ all that he learned from his mentor A.R. Murugadoss into the script which doesn't require any. The interrogation portion in the second half looks solid in the film that efficiently uses the acting prowess of Vikram. One liners of Anandaraj supplies comic relief in an average narrative.
Cobra amidst all the buzz around it misses to engage thoroughly. The script and screenplay is to be blamed for its mediocrity. After a point of time we are really not bothered by the mind games played between Madhi and Kathir. In the pursuit of unravelling the story we find ourselves entangled by it.