BOTTOM LINE
Neither Emotional nor Commercial
RATING
2/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 43m
What Is the Film About?
Rajinikanth is a super cop who always stands for justice, even if it means taking the law into his own hands, while Amitabh Bachchan is a senior lawyer and human rights champion who believes the law is above all. The core story of Vettaiyan revolves around what makes Rajinikanth feel guilty enough to reinvestigate his own case and how this relates to a notorious corporate giant played by Rana, who is responsible for taking the lives of common people.
Are police encounters justified? Are they right or wrong? What should be the real way forward? Vettaiyan deals with this theme with a horde of characters populating the story.
Performances
After Jailer, Rajinikanth plays another age-appropriate character. However, one can’t help but feel a little oddity in his looks around the goggles, and face. It appears that way due to the VFX and takes time to adjust initially. But, it’s not an issue once settled.
The real problem is a bland and unexciting character from Rajinikanth after a long. The film offers him nothing new as an actor. The mass stuff looks recycled and done to death and is done without energy. There are fights, and the narrative allows all the commercial beats to the Superstar, but the impact is missing.
We get that the movie is by Jai Bhim director and the expectations should be kept accordingly. However, even on the side of performance i.e. the drama, there is nothing to talk about here. It is dead zero in that regard, as well. Vettaiyan is an instantly forgettable fare when it comes to Rajinikanth the ‘Superstar’ and the performer.
Apart from Rajinikanth, there is a truckload of known faces populating the supporting cast. The most towering personality among them is, of course, that of Amitabh Bachchan. Unfortunately, he (like the rest) doesn’t have any memorable part. He appears periodically throughout the movie and has dialogues with Rajinikanth, but there is hardly any effect.
Fahadh Faasil, another valuable addition to the movie cast-wise, but he too gets a forgettable part. Apart from comic bits here and there, we have nothing to be awed about despite the presence of such high calibre actor. Fahad Faasil’s presence is a boost to the movie, but the movie doesn’t do anything for him.
While it would be an overstatement to call the above-mentioned characters half-baked, it would be further an achievement to call the rest even quarter-baked. We have the likes of Manju Warrior, Rithika Singh and others making appearances. But, they all suffer due to poor character sketches and writing. Take Manju Warrior, for example, the good thing about her is the song she appears in.
And finally, Rana Daggubati plays the villain role. He is given a typical evil corporate guy part and that’s it about the role. He gets to be a part of a movie where we have so many tremendous actors is ultimately the biggest positive.
Analysis
Vettaiyan is directed by T. J. Gnanavel, who delivered a memorable and critically acclaimed film like Jai Bhim. This time, he has once again chosen a core story that deals with a socially relevant issue and has the potential to strike an emotional chord if presented well.
The film begins with Amitabh Bachchan giving a hint about the social issue, but it quickly takes a routine, cliché path with a hero buildup intro, followed by the song Manasilaayo.
The issue with the first half is the lack of organic character development for the core issue the director intends to build the drama around. Amitabh’s character makes a few brief guest appearances randomly, while Rajinikanth’s character follows the usual tropes.
However, once Dushara Vijayan, who plays a teacher, takes a turn (avoiding spoilers here), the narrative becomes heavy and melodramatic. The scene where she is attacked is impactful, but what follows is complete melodrama.
Additionally, the narrative progresses aimlessly without establishing the main villain in the entire first half. Though there isn’t a single high point or impactful emotional block, the first half remains watchable, and the twist at the interval gives hope for a much better and gripping drama in the second half.
The second half begins with Rajini himself admitting his guilt, which again happens abruptly, with absolutely zero drama or confrontation between the two potential actors, Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan.
Additionally, it feels odd that Rajini, who killed someone in the name of an encounter, leads the investigation to prove his team was wrong. This realization happens so quickly and with no drama at all, showing how little effort went into the writing department.
In the mid-interval, we are introduced to the main villain character, played by Rana, who is yet another template of a rich corporate boss. While this thread keeps the story moving, there is nothing impactful or new about it.
The biggest problem with Vettaiyan is the lack of character development. Director T. J. Gnanavel, known for Jai Bhim, has a talented cast at his disposal, but none receive even a half-decent, author-backed role. This even applies to a key character like Amitabh Bachchan, who should have had a significant role opposite Rajinikanth. However, there’s nothing memorable about his character, highlighting the weakness of the script.
Overall, Jai Bhim director’s attempt at delivering a message through beaten tropes results in something that is neither here nor there. Even with a relevant message, Vettaiyan fails to make any emotional impact and lacks any particular highs throughout.
Performances by Others Actors
Ravi Shankar who has had an impressive turn recently, is fine in a small role given to him here. Rao Ramesh is reliable as usual but is underutilised appearing only for a few minutes. The rest of the cast also comprises of few known faces, but none register whatsoever.
Music and Other Departments?
Anirudh’s music, surprisingly, is an utter disappointment barring one song. The background score which is the backbone for his recent works is uninspiring and tiring. Would you believe the BGM adds to the boredom in the movie? Well, that is the case here barring a few moments. If the title card didn’t read Anirudh, many might even doubt he is the composer.
The cinematography adds to the dullness with its colour palette. The movie has an ordinary appearance, and nothing seems visually interesting or on par with current trends. The editing initially gives a messy feel. Later, especially in the second half, it feels unnecessarily lengthy and boring, highlighting a poor job on the editing table. The production values from Lyca are okay. All the effort seems to be put into getting the cast in place instead of on the making and it shows.
Highlights?
Core message
Interval twist
A few Rajini moments
Drawbacks?
Weak emotions
Several poorly developed key characters
Anirudh’s background score
Formulaic commercial tropes (Routine scenes)
Excessive runtime
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No, you won’t miss anything.
Final Report
Vettaiyan’s first half is mostly bland and formulaic. The second half improves with some drama, but it is lengthy and slow-paced. T.J. Gnanavel delivers neither commercial beats nor emotional depth. Big B, FaFa, Manju Warrier, and Rithika have half-baked roles. Rana plays a template rich corporate boss who makes no impact. Anirudh’s BGM is mostly poor, and his work adds to the boredom. Overall, there’s an attempt to deliver an emotional message, but the writing and character development are bland.
First Half Report:
Vettaiyan first half feels dull and overly formulaic, despite having some serious issue going on. Anirudh’s BGM is bland so far, and there hasn’t been a single high moment even with the director bringing a commercial touch to a sensitive issue. Interval turn is interesting and offers scope for better drama in the second half.
Vettaiyan show has started, with Amitabh Bachchan kicking it off, followed by Fahadh Faasil’s buildup for Rajinikanth’s intro fight. Stay tuned for the first half report.
Stay tuned for Vettaiyan movie review, USA premiere report.
Cast: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Kishore, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, GM Sundar, Abirami, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Ramesh Thilak, Rakshan
Writer and Director: T.J. Gnanavel
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Director of Photography: SR Kathir I.S.C
Editor: Philomin Raj
Screenplay: B Kiruthika
Art Director: Sakthee Venkatraj M.
Choreographer: Dinesh
Producer: Subaskaran
Banner: Lyca Productions
U.S. Distributor: Film Distribution Network (Film DN)
Vettaiyan Movie Review by M9