Karthik Subbaraj knew how to use the star power of Rajnikanth to make a solid film that celebrates the star in Petta. Here in Mahaan, he got Vikram a star who has made a name for himself also as a great actor but have failed to give a memorable film in almost a decade. So he makes a film that uses both his acting abilities and his action star image, as well as his son. Both Petta and Mahaan doesn't have groundbreaking narratives but they make it up with themes interweaved into it in a way the popular mass brand films usually lack. Vikram is a treat to watch in this and the various father-son relationships and the central mcguffin, alcohol makes it very interesting and entertaining film despite its flaws.
Review of Mahaan
