Rajinikanth’s latest film, Vettaiyan, is a stylish cop drama with a strong social message. Directed by TJ Gnanavel, known for his impactful film Jai Bhim, Vettaiyan takes the audience into the life of a fierce police officer who believes in delivering swift justice, even if it means breaking the rules. But unlike your usual mass police films, this movie digs deeper into questions of justice, fairness, and the education system.
The Story of Vettaiyan
The story centers around SP Athiyan, played by Rajinikanth, an encounter specialist known for his unique style of “justice.” To Athiyan, criminals don’t deserve the long wait of court trials—they need to be dealt with quickly. His extreme methods have earned him the nickname “Vettaiyan,” meaning hunter. However, things take a turn when Athiyan realizes that in one of his encounters, he mistakenly killed an innocent person. This moment shakes his belief system and sets him on a journey to find the real culprit in a murder case involving a government school teacher, Sandhya.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Justice Satyadev, played by Amitabh Bachchan, who is a firm believer in human rights and opposes Athiyan’s methods. The movie shows the clash of these two ideologies—one believes in quick action, and the other in fair justice through legal means. The film escalates when Athiyan, in his quest to solve Sandhya’s case, uncovers a web of lies, media pressure, and political interference.
The question that drives the story is whether Athiyan will stick to his old ways or learn from his mistakes.
A Blend of Action and Social Issues
Vettaiyan isn’t just a typical cop film packed with action and heroism. It also touches on important social issues. The movie raises questions about encounter killings and how they mostly target the poor, while the rich often escape untouched. The film also criticizes the inequalities in the education system, showing how the rich exploit it to their advantage while the poor are left to suffer.
Director TJ Gnanavel is known for tackling serious topics, and he continues this trend in Vettaiyan, but with a twist. Where Jai Bhim focused solely on social issues, Vettaiyan wraps them in the glitz and glam of a Rajinikanth film, which may dilute the message for some viewers.
Rajinikanth’s Charisma Steals the Show
Unsurprisingly, Vettaiyan is Rajinikanth’s film through and through. His larger-than-life persona dominates the screen, especially in the first 30 minutes, which seem dedicated solely to his fans. Rajinikanth plays Athiyan with his usual swag and style, and the film capitalizes on his superstar appeal. From dramatic fight scenes to catchy dialogues, the movie has all the ingredients for a Rajinikanth blockbuster.
Fahadh Faasil, who plays Patrick aka Battery, Athiyan’s quirky sidekick, adds comic relief. His character brings a lighter, fun element to the otherwise intense narrative. Fahadh’s clever portrayal of a thief-turned-helper is a highlight in several scenes, especially when he mixes humor with action.
Amitabh Bachchan as Justice Satyadev brings gravity to the film. His clashes with Rajinikanth’s Athiyan are interesting but could have been more impactful. While the scenes where the two legends share the screen are solid, they don’t hit the emotional or dramatic peak that one might expect.
Flaws in the Second Half
The first half of Vettaiyan is gripping. It’s fast-paced, filled with action, and sets up an intriguing moral conflict. However, the second half starts to lose its momentum. The movie turns preachy, with the narrative slowing down as it focuses more on delivering social messages rather than keeping up the thriller element.
The climax, which features Rajinikanth and Rana Daggubati (who plays a businessman manipulating the education system), is predictable and follows the usual tropes of rich versus poor. While the film raises important questions about morality and justice, the second half could have explored these themes with more depth instead of falling back on commercial film clichés.
A Visual and Musical Treat
Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is another big plus in Vettaiyan. The music elevates the intense moments, and while the songs are not as memorable, the background score definitely leaves a mark. The action sequences, though written to excite Rajinikanth’s fans, are choreographed well enough to keep the energy alive in the film.
Final Thoughts on Vettaiyan
Vettaiyan is a mix of mass entertainment and a social message. While it doesn’t dive as deeply into its themes as Gnanavel’s previous films, it still manages to raise important questions about justice, the police system, and societal inequality. Rajinikanth’s fans will undoubtedly love the film, thanks to his iconic style, but for those looking for a more hard-hitting story, the film might feel like a missed opportunity.
Nonetheless, Vettaiyan delivers enough action, drama, and moral dilemmas to keep the audience engaged. It’s a film that tries to balance commercial appeal with social commentary, and while it stumbles at times, it still offers plenty for fans of Rajinikanth and those who enjoy thought-provoking cinema.
