Maargan Is Dark, Twisted, and Exactly What Vijay Antony Fans Have Been Waiting For

The actor-composer teams up with debutant director Leo John Paul for a genre-bending thriller that’s as psychological as it is pulpy.

Sneha Kashyap June 22, 2025Last Updated: June 22, 2025

43,086 3 minutes read

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Reviewed & Published by HH Entertaintment Desk

Chennai, June 22: Vijay Antony isn’t new to dark thrillers—but Maargan might be the first time he’s actually haunted by one. The upcoming crime-mystery, hitting theatres on June 27, promises everything fans have come to expect from the actor-composer-director: brooding heroes, eerie villains, and a plot that spirals from whodunit to “what even is this?” territory.

Oh, and this time, there’s black goo. Lots of it.

Meet Cop Dhruv. He’s Got Issues. And Black Patches.

Antony stars as Dhruv, a no-nonsense cop chasing a serial killer who murders with a strange blackening toxin. The twist? Dhruv himself gets infected mid-investigation—meaning the stakes aren’t just high, they’re crawling under his skin.

It’s pulpy, sure, but there’s a psychological thread running through this. Think Seven, but with a South Indian flair and a whole lot more hallucinations. “It’s a thriller, but it’s also about fear, identity, and what happens when the hunter starts to unravel,” Antony hinted at a recent press event. It’s the kind of line that makes fans lean forward and critics sharpen their pens.

Ajay Dhishan: From Nobody to Nightmare

All eyes, though, are on Ajay Dhishan, who makes his acting debut as the masked murderer Tamilarivu—or as the film’s promo proudly declares, the “Black Devil.” And look, debut roles don’t usually come this loaded. Not only does Dhishan hold his own opposite Antony, he’s reportedly done underwater action scenes and intense close-combat sequences that had the crew buzzing.

From the glimpses in today’s “Soul of Maargan” lyrical video, it’s clear they’re building a proper horror-icon vibe around him. The kind of villain who doesn’t just scare you—he lingers.

Leo John Paul Is Done Editing. He’s Directing Now.

Behind the scenes, this is a big swing for Leo John Paul, the editor behind several Tamil hits, now making his directorial debut. And he isn’t easing in. He’s pulling triple duty—writing, directing, and editing. If that sounds like a control freak move, well… maybe it is. But if the trailer’s any indication, it’s paying off.

Paul seems to be channeling his love for precision cuts into a story that’s chaotic and eerie by design. One second you’re in a high-speed cop chase, the next you’re staring into the abyss of someone’s rotting subconscious. And somehow, it’s all being played straight.

Five Languages, One Black Devil

Maargan is rolling out in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi—because apparently Dhruv’s existential crisis knows no borders. Asian Suresh Entertainment is handling the Telugu release, and given the recent appetite for pan-Indian thrillers (see: Ratsasan, Iravin Nizhal), there’s reason to believe Maargan could punch above its weight.

Also: it’s cleared with a U/A certification, which means it’s spooky enough to freak you out, but not enough to get banned by your mom.

The Soundtrack Hits, Literally

Antony, being Antony, is also behind the score—and if today’s “Soul of Maargan” drop is any indication, he’s going for gritty orchestral dread. It’s mood music. It sounds like your brain short-circuiting during a panic attack, which, given the plot, checks out.

The video itself features glimpses of Dhruv spiraling, Tamilarivu stalking his next victim, and a tone that leans more psych-horror than conventional crime thriller. There’s blood, sure. But it’s the dread that sticks.

The Cast Is Stacked (And Surprisingly Funny)

Alongside Antony and Dhishan, the cast includes Samuthirakani, Brigida Saga, Mahanati Shankar, Vinod Sagar, and Archana (yes, that Archana from Kalakka Povathu Yaaru). It’s a mix of gravitas and chaos—and if Paul gives them space to riff, expect some unexpectedly funny moments between all the doom.

Also in the credits: Yuva S on cinematography, Raja A on art direction, and production by Meera Vijay Antony under the Vijay Antony Film Corporation banner. Tamil shoot wrapped mid-2024—so this one’s been cooking for a while.

Will It Stick The Landing?

Look, Maargan isn’t pretending to be prestige cinema. It’s pulpy, moody, and proud of it. But there’s ambition here—both onscreen and off. If it lands, it could become a genre breakout like Ratsasan. If it doesn’t? At least it tried something gutsy.

For now, it’s one of the few upcoming thrillers that actually feels like it’s coming from somewhere honest—even if that place is pitch-black and full of moral rot.

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Author Profile

Sneha Kashyap

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Sneha Kashyap is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, specializing in the vibrant world of entertainment and contemporary lifestyle trends. A student at GGSIPU, Delhi, Sneha brings a fresh perspective and a keen eye for cultural narratives to her daily reporting. She is dedicated to exploring the latest in film, music, fashion, and social phenomena, offering readers insightful and engaging content.