Vettaiyan Movie Full Review
Vettaiyan : A poignant cop drama that blends mass with good values!
After the smashing success of "Jailer", Superstar Rajinikanth teams up with acclaimed "Jai Bhim" director TJ Gnanavel for "Vettaiyan", a film that promises both style and substance. This collaboration has had fans buzzing with anticipation, and with a stellar cast and top-notch technical backing, the expectations have been sky-high. So, does "Vettaiyan" live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.
Movie: Vettaiyan
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Lyca Productions
Cast: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Kishore, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, GM Sundar, Abirami, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Ramesh Thilak, Rakshan and others
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
DOP: SR Kathir
Editor: Philomin Raj
Production Designer: K. Kadhir
Stunts: Anbariv
Written and Directed by: T. J. Gnanavel
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Rajinikanth teaming up with the director of Jai Bhim for a pan-Indian project has generated significant interest. Additionally, the casting of Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, and Rana Daggubati has heightened the excitement. Despite minimal promotion, as with all Rajinikanth films, this one has already garnered substantial anticipation.
Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses.
Story:
The story is set in Tamil Nadu. Athiyan (Rajinikanth) is the superintendent of police in the Kanyakumari district and an encounter specialist. Satyadev (Amitabh Bachchan) opposes the practice of encounter killings.
Athiyan takes down the Ganja mafia in the district after receiving a tip from Saranya (Dushara Vijayan), a government school teacher.
Following Saranya's rape and murder, Athiyan is determined to kill the perpetrator. When police officers (Kishore and Rithika) suspect a tech engineer is responsible, Athiyan prepares for and carries out an encounter. However, after the operation, Athiyan and his team realize they had killed an innocent person.
Who truly killed Saranya, why did it happen, and how does Athiyan seek to make amends?
Artistes’ Performances:
Rajinikanth plays the role of an encounter specialist with his trademark swag. His performance during the interval sequence, where he faces a moral dilemma, is outstanding.
Amitabh Bachchan’s character and presence add depth to the narrative.
Fahadh Faasil takes on a comedic role, which works to some extent.
Rana Daggubati, as the main villain, is decent, though his character is somewhat limited.
Dushara Vijayan, portraying a government teacher, leaves a strong impression.
Technical Excellence:
Recently, Anirudh Ravichander has been taking on the extra responsibility of delivering a strong background score for Rajinikanth's films.
However, this film lacks the catchy songs seen in Jailer, and Anirudh’s background music feels rather ordinary. He also makes an appearance in one of the songs.
The cinematography and editing are well-executed.
Highlights:
Interesting Interval Block
Rajinikanth’s swag
Drama around encounter killings
Drawback:
Weak final hour
Rana’s characterisation
Becomes routine after a point
Analysis
Vettaiyan addresses two distinct yet relevant issues: the use of police encounters and the scams perpetrated by Edutech corporate companies.
Director T. J. Gnanavel, who gained acclaim with Jai Bhim, once again demonstrates his talent by handling a social issue in a gripping manner.
The film begins by portraying Superstar Rajinikanth as an encounter specialist, hailed as a hero by the public. Soon, Amitabh Bachchan's character is introduced, questioning the legality of these encounters, challenging the police for bypassing judicial processes.
Rajinikanth dominates the first half with his powerful performance, convincing the audience with his perspective. The interval ends with an unexpected twist.
In the first half, Gnanavel seems to deliver another outstanding film, much like Jai Bhim. However, in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience and meet the expectations of a star-studded film, Gnanavel dilutes the narrative in the second half.
The focus shifts to the scams involving Edutech companies. While both subjects could have been strong foundations for the film, Gnanavel struggles to blend them effectively. As a result, the movie becomes overly simplistic, predictable, and preachy towards the end.
The characterization of the main villain, played by Rana Daggubati, and the morally upright Amitabh Bachchan could have been more developed. Manju Warrier’s role feels minimal and unremarkable. The climax of the film feels rushed, and Anirudh Ravichander’s music doesn’t add much value either.
Despite the director’s efforts to appeal to mass audiences, the film lacks thrilling moments that would typically engage regular viewers.
Overall, despite its flaws and a less compelling second half, Vettaiyan manages to hold the audience's attention. It offers a reasonably well-crafted watch with a clear message: police officers should be protectors, not hunters.
Bottom line: Reformed Hunter
Movie Story Line with Excellance Details
In "Vettaiyan" Athiyan (Rajinikanth) is the no-nonsense Superintendent of Police in Kanyakumari and a feared encounter specialist. With the help of Patrick (Fahadh Faasil), a reformed thief turned informer, Athiyan has eliminated numerous criminals. Standing in his way is DGP Sathyadev (Amitabh Bachchan), an officer who opposes encounter culture and believes in due process. When Saranya (Dushara Vijayan), a schoolteacher who tips off Athiyan about a drug stash, is brutally murdered in Chennai, Athiyan sets off on a relentless mission to bring the culprit to justice, enlisting the help of Harish Kumar (Kishore) and Roopa Kiran (Ritika Singh).
Artists Performance
Rajinikanth proves yet again why he’s a force to be reckoned with. His portrayal of Athiyan is powerful, yet restrained, as he lets the story shine without overshadowing it with his superstar persona. His natural charisma elevates the character, making Athiyan both formidable and relatable. Amitabh Bachchan is equally magnetic, providing the perfect counterbalance to Rajini’s intensity, while Fahadh Faasil and Dushara Vijayan deliver standout performances that linger long after the credits roll.
Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and Kishore provide solid support, though their roles could have had more depth. Rana Daggubati, however, feels underutilized in a one-dimensional role that doesn’t quite match the film’s complexity. Unfortunately, Rohini, Abhirami, Rakshan, and Ramesh Thilak have little to work with.
What makes "Vettaiyan" stand out is its refusal to rely solely on Rajinikanth’s stardom. Instead, TJ Gnanavel crafts a gripping narrative that tackles weighty themes like justice and morality. The screenplay wastes no time, diving straight into the story after Rajinikanth’s epic intro. The film maintains a steady pace, striking a balance between gritty investigative sequences and moments of emotional resonance.
The film’s core strength lies in its message-driven content. It’s clear about what it wants to convey-justice shouldn’t come at the cost of ethics. But some commercial choices made in the writing contradict the film's theme. Gnanavel handles this with care, giving room for various characters to breathe and add layers to the narrative. Rajinikanth is presented in his coolest avatar since 'Petta', but without the overwhelming fanfare.
However, "Vettaiyan" isn’t without its flaws. The second half occasionally slips into preachy territory, and the antagonist’s arc feels underdeveloped, diluting the tension. A tighter, more focused climax could have sharpened the film’s impact, as some scenes begin to drag. Moreover, some sensitive scenes involving Saranya's character could have been handled better, especially considering the film's wide audience.
In the technical front, Anirudh’s score feels subdued, with only a few standout moments. The emotional song sung by Sean Roldan, though, leaves a lasting impression. SR Kathir’s cinematography is a visual treat, particularly in the high-energy action sequences, while Philomin Raj’s editing is effective but could have been crisper in the film’s final act. The stunt choreography, though adequate, left some action scenes feeling underwhelming.
Verdict: "Vettaiyan" is a refreshing cop drama from a typical Rajinikanth entertainer, prioritizing a compelling story and solid performances.
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