Ever since the trailer was released, I have been looking forward to see how Soori would've fit in and after watching it, Vetri did deliver what it promised. Not in wildest dream that I could imagine Soori playing a lead and he has proved it. I am not an audience of Vetrimaran's template of gratuitous violence. He reeks of this kasthapadura vada Chennai folks in most of his films.
Anyway, coming this film, it was surprising to hear Soori lend his voice for the disclaimer in the beginning. You know his English pronunciation, when Soori uttered 'Alchogal' the whole theatre bursts into giggles. But the mouth shut moment follows right after the disclaimer note. I must say it was so quite when the train accident was playing, there were couple of people passing comments as it unfolded and i could sense lump in throats as they couldn't utter any word. Man, I would say this one of the best achievements by Vetri. Don't care about the Japanese blurred scenes but the Train sequence really did it for me, not exaggerating it for shock value. This tension is maintained but not throughout the runtime, I must say it felt like a different Vetri film with all his usual mantra like the police brutality, caste politics, plight of indigenous and harassment of junior police.
I must say Soori nailed the role, he was so credible as a cop, a driver and so humane. He shocked me, he looked so believable in a serious role here as it demanded much more than usual characterization in general films. He doesn't hesitate to do good to serve people. Sometimes his innocence really did help in vouching for this character. He has done some tough action scenes and his confrontation in the climax with VJS is one of the best. Soori gave everything for this film, so happy for him.
Now I know why Arunpetra Jothi song was placed in the opening, it was my first time hearing it .Staged so beautifully from up above as if there is a divine intervention followed by Kumaresan (Soori) intro. You may wonder why stage a song like this when the film showcases corpses, blurred every time. But Soori is somehow saved from death like situations in the film. His relationship with his lover and the letters for his mother were some of the best moments too. I am looking forward to see what he does in PS Vinothraj's upcoming Kottukkaali, you must see his Pebbles, do peep my review for the film
The moment we get a glimpse of The Mentor aka Vathiyar (Vijay Sethupathi) it is so chilling. How Soori was so close while he was dropping Vathiyar and his team. The final confrontation is so heavy, really felt the tension throughout. When Soori who is not in his uniform takes charge and leads the hunt, every scene is staged carefully with superb angles. The moment he picks up the gun, gosh what a brilliant scene. These days we only get actors play grey or anti-hero and it was so refreshing to see a good Samaritan kind of protagonist after some time
I know so many artists have done their part including GVM as Sunil Menon a man who dislikes perverse act as a method in the investigation. But the tables turn, and we get to see two sides of him in the runtime. We have Rajiv Menon and Sarvana Subbaiah, two directors who have done directed classics like Kandukondein Kandukondein and Ajith Kumar's Citizen by the latter. Nice to see both in the film. Even Chetan was damn good as a filthy cop who literally develops dissent on Soori for hurting his ego. It's been a while that I saw him in an intense role, I remember watching him in Vijay Jaypals Revelation (2016) long back. VJS did his part as Vathiyar, he gets a mass moment when he is full naked in the part 2 sneak peek. Post climax snippets for the sequel really did leave me wanting to see more.
Final note, This might sound very clichéd, but Vidhhuthalai is not a cinema for everyone. Be cautious as it will put you off. It is heavy film at times which is supported by an amazing score by legendary illayaraja that manages to offer palpable tension in parts. This is my favorite Vetri fillm and I'm hyped already for the sequel.
Anyway, coming this film, it was surprising to hear Soori lend his voice for the disclaimer in the beginning. You know his English pronunciation, when Soori uttered 'Alchogal' the whole theatre bursts into giggles. But the mouth shut moment follows right after the disclaimer note. I must say it was so quite when the train accident was playing, there were couple of people passing comments as it unfolded and i could sense lump in throats as they couldn't utter any word. Man, I would say this one of the best achievements by Vetri. Don't care about the Japanese blurred scenes but the Train sequence really did it for me, not exaggerating it for shock value. This tension is maintained but not throughout the runtime, I must say it felt like a different Vetri film with all his usual mantra like the police brutality, caste politics, plight of indigenous and harassment of junior police.
I must say Soori nailed the role, he was so credible as a cop, a driver and so humane. He shocked me, he looked so believable in a serious role here as it demanded much more than usual characterization in general films. He doesn't hesitate to do good to serve people. Sometimes his innocence really did help in vouching for this character. He has done some tough action scenes and his confrontation in the climax with VJS is one of the best. Soori gave everything for this film, so happy for him.
Now I know why Arunpetra Jothi song was placed in the opening, it was my first time hearing it .Staged so beautifully from up above as if there is a divine intervention followed by Kumaresan (Soori) intro. You may wonder why stage a song like this when the film showcases corpses, blurred every time. But Soori is somehow saved from death like situations in the film. His relationship with his lover and the letters for his mother were some of the best moments too. I am looking forward to see what he does in PS Vinothraj's upcoming Kottukkaali, you must see his Pebbles, do peep my review for the film
The moment we get a glimpse of The Mentor aka Vathiyar (Vijay Sethupathi) it is so chilling. How Soori was so close while he was dropping Vathiyar and his team. The final confrontation is so heavy, really felt the tension throughout. When Soori who is not in his uniform takes charge and leads the hunt, every scene is staged carefully with superb angles. The moment he picks up the gun, gosh what a brilliant scene. These days we only get actors play grey or anti-hero and it was so refreshing to see a good Samaritan kind of protagonist after some time
I know so many artists have done their part including GVM as Sunil Menon a man who dislikes perverse act as a method in the investigation. But the tables turn, and we get to see two sides of him in the runtime. We have Rajiv Menon and Sarvana Subbaiah, two directors who have done directed classics like Kandukondein Kandukondein and Ajith Kumar's Citizen by the latter. Nice to see both in the film. Even Chetan was damn good as a filthy cop who literally develops dissent on Soori for hurting his ego. It's been a while that I saw him in an intense role, I remember watching him in Vijay Jaypals Revelation (2016) long back. VJS did his part as Vathiyar, he gets a mass moment when he is full naked in the part 2 sneak peek. Post climax snippets for the sequel really did leave me wanting to see more.
Final note, This might sound very clichéd, but Vidhhuthalai is not a cinema for everyone. Be cautious as it will put you off. It is heavy film at times which is supported by an amazing score by legendary illayaraja that manages to offer palpable tension in parts. This is my favorite Vetri fillm and I'm hyped already for the sequel.