Aranmanai 4, directed by Sundar C, is the latest entry in the popular Tamil horror-comedy franchise that has consistently entertained audiences with its blend of scares, laughs, and family drama. Released in May 2024, the film stars Sundar C, Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashi Khanna, Santhosh Prathap, and a large ensemble cast. With its signature mix of supernatural mystery, slapstick comedy, and mass-appeal storytelling, Aranmanai 4 has not only drawn crowds to theaters but also made box office history for the series.

Plot Summary

The film opens in Assam, where a priest and his daughter accidentally unleash Baak, a shape-shifting demon, after a tragic ritual gone wrong. The demon is trapped in the form of the priest’s daughter, setting up a supernatural backstory that soon collides with the main narrative.

The story then shifts to a remote village, where Selvi (Tamannaah Bhatia) and her husband Santhosh (Santhosh Prathap) live with their two children. Their peaceful life is shattered when Santhosh dies under mysterious circumstances, and Selvi is found dead, apparently by suicide. Their daughter, Sakthi, traumatized by her mother’s ghostly appearance, falls into a coma.

Selvi’s brother, Saravanan (Sundar C), a lawyer, arrives with his aunt (Kovai Sarala) to care for the children and investigate the suspicious deaths. As Saravanan digs deeper, he discovers unsettling paranormal activity in the ancestral mansion. Local doctor Maya (Raashi Khanna) and her grandfather (Delhi Ganesh) also get involved, while comic characters like Maestry (Yogi Babu) and Carpenter (VTV Ganesh) provide comic relief.

The mystery thickens with the appearance of a godman and a swami, both seemingly connected to the deaths. As more people fall victim to supernatural forces, Saravanan, with the help of Maya and the police, must unravel the truth behind the hauntings, the demon Baak, and the real reason for Selvi and Santhosh’s deaths. The film builds up to a classic Aranmanai-style showdown, where rituals, faith, and family bonds are tested against evil spirits.

Performances

• Sundar C (Saravanan): As always, Sundar C anchors the film with his reliable screen presence and comic timing. He plays the protective brother and reluctant hero, balancing seriousness with the franchise’s trademark humor.

• Tamannaah Bhatia (Selvi): Tamannaah delivers a heartfelt performance as the ill-fated mother, bringing emotional depth to her scenes and handling the horror elements convincingly.

• Raashi Khanna (Maya): Raashi adds glamour and a touch of earnestness as the village doctor. She holds her own in both dramatic and lighter moments.

• Santhosh Prathap (Santhosh): He plays the doomed husband with sincerity, though his role is mostly a catalyst for the unfolding mystery.

• Kovai Sarala, Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh: These comedy veterans provide much of the film’s humor, keeping the tone light even when the supernatural plot thickens. Their banter and antics are crowd-pleasers.

• Supporting Cast: The large ensemble, including KS Ravikumar, Rajendran, Singampuli, Vichu Vishwanath, and V Jayaprakash, add flavor to the proceedings, though most play familiar archetypes.

Special mention goes to Khushbu and Simran, whose surprise appearances in the second half inject fresh energy and nostalgia into the film.

Direction & Screenplay

Sundar C sticks to the tried-and-tested Aranmanai formula: a sprawling ancestral mansion, a supernatural threat, a family in peril, comic sidekicks, and a final act filled with rituals and revelations. The screenplay is packed with jump scares, comic set-pieces, and melodramatic twists. While the story doesn’t break new ground, it delivers what fans of the franchise expect: a blend of horror and comedy that’s accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.

The film’s pacing is brisk, moving quickly from one set piece to the next. The horror elements are more about atmosphere and surprise than genuine terror, making it suitable for family viewing. The comedy is broad and slapstick, with plenty of one-liners and physical gags.

Technical Aspects

• Visuals: The mansion is as much a character as any of the cast, with its shadowy corridors, ornate rooms, and creepy wells. The visual effects are serviceable, delivering the necessary supernatural thrills without being groundbreaking.

• Music: The soundtrack is catchy, with songs that serve as breathers between the scares and laughs. The background score heightens the suspense and accentuates the jump scares.

• Editing & Cinematography: The editing keeps the story moving, while the cinematography uses lighting and camera angles effectively to create a spooky yet playful mood.

Themes

• Family & Loyalty: At its core, the film is about a brother’s determination to protect his sister’s children and uncover the truth.

• Good vs. Evil: The classic battle between faith and malevolent forces is played out with rituals, prayers, and a final confrontation.

• Comedy in the Face of Fear: The film’s biggest strength is its ability to keep things light, even as the body count rises.

Box Office Collection

Aranmanai 4 has been a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024 (as of May) and the biggest hit in the franchise’s history.

Box Office Highlights:

• India Net Collection: ₹68 crore

• India Gross Collection: ₹80.24 crore

• Overseas Gross: ₹20 crore

• Worldwide Gross: ₹100.24 crore

Tamil Nadu Gross: ₹64 crore
AP/TS: ₹6.75 crore
Karnataka: ₹4 crore
Rest of India: ₹1.25 crore

The film’s steady performance, especially in Tamil Nadu, helped it surpass the combined total of previous Aranmanai films. It became only the second Tamil film in 2024 to cross the ₹100 crore mark worldwide, a significant achievement for a horror-comedy.

What Works

• Entertaining Formula: Delivers exactly what fans expect- spooky fun, slapstick comedy, and a satisfying climax.

• Strong Ensemble: The cast’s chemistry and comic timing keep the film lively.

• Mass Appeal: Suitable for all ages, making it a popular family entertainer.

• Box Office Success: Its commercial performance proves the enduring appeal of the franchise.

What Could Be Better

• Predictable Plot: The story closely follows the franchise template, offering few surprises.

• Surface-Level Horror: The scares are mild and rarely chilling, prioritizing laughs over genuine suspense.

• Character Depth: Most characters are one-dimensional, serving the plot rather than growing with it.

• Repetitive Gags: Some jokes and comic situations feel recycled from previous installments.

Audience & Critical Reception

Critics gave Aranmanai 4 mixed to positive reviews, praising its entertainment value, performances, and comic relief, while noting the lack of originality and depth. Audiences, however, responded enthusiastically, especially families and fans of the franchise, leading to strong word-of-mouth and sustained box office success.

Final Verdict

Aranmanai 4 is a classic Sundar C horror-comedy: loud, colorful, and packed with jump scares, jokes, and family drama. If you’re looking for a logical, groundbreaking horror film, this isn’t it. But if you want a fun, timepass entertainer that delivers laughs, light scares, and a dose of nostalgia, it’s a solid choice.

Rating: 3/5

Conclusion

With its blend of horror, humor, and heart, Aranmanai 4 proves that the franchise formula still works when you play to the crowd. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously and invites you to do the same. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, Aranmanai 4 offers a lively, crowd-pleasing ride- and its box office numbers show that sometimes, familiar scares and laughs are exactly what audiences want.