“Vettaiyan” was released during Durga Puja here in Guwahati, and I set out to watch it at my nearest Matrix Cinema in Beltola. However, the cinema decided to cancel the show since only about five people had turned up amid the Puja festivities. I just didn’t have the willingness to go to another theater a little farther away and ended up never watching it on the big screen, even though it continued playing for weeks afterward.
After finally watching it on Amazon Prime Video tonight, I cannot help but rue the missed opportunity of enjoying this film in a theater. I also cannot help but imagine how the experience would have been if I had seen this film at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai with a packed crowd.
T.J. Gnanavel, who had previously directed Jai Bhim, strikes a perfect balance between Rajinikanth’s star persona, the essence of Chennai’s commercial potboilers, and sensitively tackling at least two massive evils plaguing society. Fake encounters and online education scams have destroyed more lives than we care to imagine, and this film successfully puts forward a story that captures the essence of the tragedies at the core of both these evils.
I could never have guessed from the trailers or the numerous reviews that these two seemingly dissimilar but significant issues could be interwoven into a single story, led by a larger-than-life hero so successfully without losing its impact. The protagonist sets out to confront one evil, ends up committing one himself, and then does everything in his power to turn over a new leaf and set things right. This might sound like a repetitive story, but in this film, the simple plot takes on a whole new avatar. While not as serious or heart-wrenching as Jai Bhim—which it could not have been—Vettaiyan proved to be an immensely better and more gripping film in terms of story, treatment, and performances than I ever expected.
SP Athiyan (Rajinikanth) is an encounter specialist who doesn’t kill for money or fame. He eliminates only those who, in his view, truly deserve to die—people whom the law cannot contain. The brutal rape and murder of a school teacher he once knew bring him to Chennai, where he assures his superiors that he will hunt down the perpetrators within 48 hours. True to his word, he delivers, putting an end to someone deemed a threat to women everywhere.
However, things take an unexpected turn when Sathyadev (Amitabh Bachchan) presents evidence during an inquiry suggesting that the man Athiyan had gunned down might not have been the real killer. Determined to uncover the truth, Athiyan reopens the investigation and vows to bring the actual criminals to justice.
Unbeknownst to him, he has just opened Pandora’s box. His pursuit of the killer takes him deep into a web of corruption, entangling the government, police, criminal underworld, and—most unexpectedly—a tech-savvy educational entrepreneur. He discovers how these seemingly separate entities are intricately connected, relying on each other’s services to survive and thrive in a world of unchecked exploitation.
I cannot emphasize enough how brilliantly T.J. Gnanavel has intertwined the two primary social issues that underpin the story and how effectively he has used them in distinct portions of the film to evoke both interest and shock value. While we’ve seen films where either of these issues formed the central plot, here they serve as two distinct yet ultimately converging threads within the same story. This convergence is achieved through flawless maneuvering of human emotions and the drama that propels the narrative forward.
The film is aptly titled Vettaiyan, which translates to “hunter,” reflecting the initial portrayal of SP Athiyan’s character. However, as the story progresses, Athiyan undergoes a transformation. He learns, introspects, and begins to question the actions and beliefs he once stood firmly by. This evolution in his character not only highlights everything inherently wrong with encounters but also drives the message home successfully as we see a staunch advocate of the practice realizing, through his own experiences, just how dangerous and inhuman it truly is.
The other major issue tackled in the film is that of online education scams, inspired by real-life incidents and accounts, drawing from the experiences of people who were either part of such companies or victims duped by them. In some extreme cases, these scams have even led to loss of life or property. The plot points, sequences, and exchanges related to this storyline resonated deeply with me, as I’ve been closely following such events over the past few years, witnessing the fall of several ed-tech giants. I have seen how far these companies were willing to go to silence their detractors. Hence, whatever is shown in the film at no point felt impossible or flimsy to me. As a result, there wasn’t a single moment in the story when I wasn’t fully engaged with the characters and the ensuing drama.
The screenplay is exceptionally well-crafted, leaving no room for anything that isn’t absolutely crucial to the story. There is a song at the beginning of the film, but it was so entertaining that it didn’t disrupt the narrative’s pace. The film evolves in tone and character from portion to portion, further elevating its intrigue and grip on the audience. Some brilliantly executed situational comedy and the sheer charisma of the stellar actors headlining the ensemble cast ensured that the story found its expression through an execution that was not only easy on the eyes but also devilishly charming.
Having Rajinikanth in a film of this nature can be a double-edged sword. While he is spot-on with his performance when portraying a serious character, this can sometimes clash with fan expectations, potentially leading to negative word-of-mouth for the film. Interestingly enough, Gnanavel manages to strike the perfect balance, presenting Rajinikanth as the superstar we know through his flamboyant character while also infusing it with just enough humanity and flaws to enhance its realism and conflicts.
The mass moments where Rajinikanth truly comes into his own are built up and executed with such style and swagger that every Rajini fan will be jumping up and down in their seats. That said, there are scenes of genuine loss in the film that the character has to endure, and Rajinikanth excels in portraying the agony and helplessness of the character in these moments. Yet, he wisely never takes it so far that it undermines the flamboyance of his iconic persona.
Amitabh Bachchan has what can be described as a glorified cameo, and I felt that his presence was just enough to provide the perspective the film needed. He is used in the perfect dose, which is why his character works so well within the narrative. There are at least two exchanges between him and Rajinikanth, and it’s in these moments that you truly understand why these two men command such a massive cult following. While these exchanges could have been a lot more explosive, I felt their subtlety served the film better. Though the fan in me would have loved some fireworks between the two, such moments might not have worked for the story at hand.
Fahadh Faasil is given a character that could have been played by anyone. I’m confident he took up the role simply because he wanted to share the screen with Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth. However, with his charisma and acting prowess, he transforms the otherwise inconsequential character of “Battery” into someone far more likable than some of the more significant characters in the film. This speaks volumes about the power and magnetism of his screen presence. Fahadh has an uncanny ability to elevate even the most immaterial roles into something memorable, showcasing exactly why he’s renowned for his craft.
The cinematography, action, editing, and music of the film leave nothing to complain about. I absolutely loved how wonderfully the action sequences were designed and executed to align with Rajinikanth’s physical abilities. These sequences are further enhanced by excellent camerawork and editing, delivering an impact that far exceeds what one might expect from a film where the leading man is of Rajinikanth’s age. Rajinikanth himself deserves credit for maintaining such remarkable shape that allowed him to convincingly pull off the kind of action that the film demanded.
The background score, though not as repeatable or iconic as I’ve come to expect from someone like Thaman, does its job effectively, elevating key mass or emotional moments where necessary. The cinematography stood out as one of the most striking aspects of the film, with its pristine and alluring visuals adding tremendous appeal. The way the imagery complements and invites the audience deeper into the story proved to be one of the film’s biggest strengths.
Vettaiyan should be at the top of your watchlist this week if you haven’t seen it already. The HDR10+ rendering and the high frame rate version of the film offer a unique experience that is absolutely worth watching on Amazon Prime Video. This is the future of cinema, and the world is gradually warming up to it.
Rating: 3.5/5
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