Vasantha Mullai directed by Ramanan Purushothama starts off as a story which showcases the stress of an overworked IT employee. We have a hero who is suffering because of a sleeping disorder. But that is merely a cheat code for what is to come as the director tries to explore the human mind in a simple way.

Bobby Simha as the disturbed protagonist does most of the heavy lifting. Even when the screenplay meanders a bit it is Simha's earnestness that pulls the film through. Kashmira Pardeshi is pretty and fits the bill as Simha's girlfriend. There's a natural exuberance in her which fits her role well.

The mystery in the story holds your attention quite well till the halfway point as you wait in anticipation for what is to come. The director tries to spin a web of confusion until the last act. The intention of the director to give something back to the audience as a message is laudable. The director's attempt to tell the story with just two main characters is a win as well.

It is the payoff in the last act that leaves us a little disappointed. After all the hype and the fear that is built up a rather simple pay-off is just not enough. The film needed a more convincing ending to finish off on a high. Perhaps the rough edges at the end are a reflection of the creator's dilemma about the direction of the story.

The film also takes its own sweet time to take off which might put off a set of audiences. The expectation with regard to thrillers is to jump right into the story without taking too much time. The technical aspects including the music don't give the much needed support.

Vasantha Mullai is a film that has all the ingredients to cook a delightful meal. But the director's dilemma in finding the right mix of ingredients for a thriller makes it fall short.

Nevertheless, there is the initial promise of a debutant director. A little more conviction would have done the trick.