What’s it about?
People celebrate Athiyan (Rajinikanth) as a super cop for administering immediate justice by eliminating alleged offenders under the guise of encounters. Satyadev (Amitabh Bachchan) pledges to end Athiyan’s extrajudicial executions.
When Athiyan discovers the rape and murder of a government teacher, Saranya (Dushara Vijayan), everything changes. Athiyan is familiar with Saranya and her commendable efforts in her town.
Upon identifying a suspect, Athiyan, adhering to his regular approach, eliminates the presumed culprit during an encounter, only to later realize that he has killed an innocent individual. Will Athiyan discover the true perpetrator? Will he stop his encounter killings? And why was Saranya killed?
Analysis
Indian cinema and filmmakers have thus far exalted police officers who eliminate criminals extrajudicially under the pretext of encounters. These films depicted the killings as heroic deeds, portraying the police officers as heroes. In light of the Indian court system, which is encumbered by excessive caseloads and often takes years to dispense justice, people and society typically commend those police who kill alleged criminals. However, human rights advocates, scholars, and distinguished judges have denounced these extrajudicial killings. Amitabh Bachchan’s role in the film contends that it is predominantly disadvantaged persons who are killed in encounters, rather than those from the privileged class.
“Vettaiyan,” directed by TG Gnanavel and starring Rajinikanth as a police officer specializing in encounters, addresses the subject of encounters. Gnanavel presents two perspectives: a police officer justifying his acts and another condemning such actions without due process. This is a pertinent subject, certainly.
The film takes time to reach its central theme, but once established, it proceeds in a captivating manner. As long as the film stays focused on the main topic of police encounters and unfolds like a crime drama, it becomes quite engaging. But the moment the film flips the other half and the drama shifts to another relevant topic of EdTech app scams, it falters big time. These two topics have failed to gel seamlessly in this narrative, and the oversimplification in the end undoes all the compelling narration. The latter half fails to sustain the intensity set in the former half, which diminishes impact.
Rajinikanth’s depiction of the menacing encounter specialist reflects the legendary actor’s legendary style and charisma. He is superb, as always. Amitabh Bachchan’s character serves to add moral weight to the story, and the great actor does full justice to his minor role. Fahadh Faasil’s character is underwritten. Rana Daggubati as the main villain is apt, though his character lacks depth. Ritika as the young police officer, Dushara as the government teacher, and Manju Warrier as Rajinikanth’s wife have done a neat job.
Anirudh Ravichander’s music is in his regular style. Technical and production values are good.
Bottomline: “Vettaiyan” is a relatively neat drama that tackles relevant topics. The message it drives is solid. The gripping first half and Rajnikanth’s swag work big time, but it is the faltering second half that is the issue. Overall, it makes an okay watch.
Rating: 2.75/5
Movie: Vettaiyan
Cast: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Kishore, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan and others
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Director of Photography: SR Kathir
Production Designer: K. Kadhir
Action: Anbariv
Editor: Philomin Raj
Screenplay: B Kiruthika
Produced by: Subaskaran
Writer & Director: T.J. Gnanavel
Release Date: October 10, 2024
