Date: October 10, 2024
Vettaiyan Movie Review: A Thought-Provoking Social Drama
Review of Vettaiyan
Review: Rating: 2.5/5
Duration: 2 hrs 7 mins
Genre: Investigative Drama
Release Date: 10-10-2024
Cast: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier, Dushara Vijayan, Rana Daggubati, Abhirami, and others
Director: TJ Gnanavel
Producer: Subashkaran
Banner: Lyca Productions
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Review: A Unique Take on the Investigative Drama
In Vettaiyan, Rajinikanth plays SP Athiyan, an “encounter specialist” known for his extrajudicial killings. Set in Kanyakumari, the film delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding instant justice. Opposing Athiyan is lawyer Sathyaraj (Amitabh Bachchan), a strong advocate for legal justice over violence. When one of Athiyan’s encounters goes wrong, he is forced to reflect on his methods and the implications of his actions. The rest of the movie follows his journey towards a new understanding of justice.
While the film promises to be a gripping investigative thriller, it leans more toward a social drama with strong messaging. The commentary on extrajudicial killings, women’s safety, and the darker side of coaching institutions offers a timely reflection on contemporary issues. However, the narrative pacing falters, with predictable moments and a lack of the high-energy sequences typically expected in a Rajinikanth movie.
Review:Stellar Cast, But Missed Potential
Rajinikanth’s Role as SP Athiyan
Rajinikanth delivers his signature screen presence, but Vettaiyan offers a departure from his usual larger-than-life roles. Athiyan is a flawed character, admitting to mistakes—a rare occurrence for our larger-than-life heroes. Despite his limited screen time, Rajini captivates the audience with his strong performance.
Amitabh Bachchan as the Voice of Conscience
Amitabh Bachchan plays Sathyaraj, the moral counterpart to Athiyan, embodying the voice of conscience in the film. His on-screen chemistry with Rajinikanth is a treat for fans. While his role lacks the fireworks of his previous appearance in Kalki 2898 AD, it’s refreshing to see Big B in more South Indian films.
Supporting Cast
Fahadh Faasil shines as Patrick, a quirky police informer with a love for Horlicks, adding a touch of lightness to the otherwise serious narrative. Rana Daggubati’s portrayal of Nat, the supervillain, is intense, though his character could have used more depth. Manju Warrier and Ritika Singh are underutilized, with their roles reduced to supporting the male leads.
Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag
Music and BGM by Anirudh
Anirudh’s soundtrack for Vettaiyan is somewhat lackluster, except for the catchy Manasilayo and Hunter Choodu Ra songs. The background score fails to leave a lasting impact, and the music video for Manasilayo is disorganized, preventing viewers from fully enjoying Manju Warrier’s dance sequences.
Dubbing Issues
One of the film’s major drawbacks is its subpar dubbing. The title Vettaiyan remained unchanged in the Telugu version, creating confusion among viewers. Additionally, the character names and dialect choices in the Telugu dub felt out of place, with some characters speaking in Telangana dialect while others used a neutral Andhra accent. This created a cultural disconnect, further alienating Telugu audiences.
Thumbs Up
- Rajinikanth’s dynamic performance
- Strong social messaging
- Engaging first half
Thumbs Down
- Predictable narrative
- Poor music video editing
- Subpar Telugu dubbing
Analysis: Not Your Typical Rajinikanth Film
Vettaiyan defies audience expectations. While viewers may walk into the theater hoping for an action-packed entertainer with a star-studded cast, the film delivers a thought-provoking social drama instead. The investigative elements of the plot are predictable, but the social commentary on issues like rape culture, police brutality, and the ethics of extrajudicial justice is commendable. However, for fans expecting mass moments from Rajinikanth, this film may leave them disappointed.
Final Verdict: More Drama, Less Action
Vettaiyan is neither a full-fledged serious drama nor a star-studded mass entertainer. It offers a social message but lacks the excitement that Rajinikanth fans crave. The film might appeal to a more patient audience looking for meaningful content, but others might find it falls short of expectations.