Mass & a message
Commercial cop dramas often revel in exaggeration: gravity-defying stunts, heroes with flawless marksmanship, and an abundance of swagger. Vettaiyan, TJ Gnanavel’s latest directorial venture starring Rajinikanth, follows this formula, but attempts to go beyond the surface by touching on deeper social issues. The film aims to spark debate on encounter killings, questioning why the wealthy seem immune to these “instant justice” practices, while the poor often bear the brunt. Gnanavel, whose previous film Jai Bhim dealt with intense, hard-hitting themes, brings forward another socially relevant narrative. However, Vettaiyan sometimes struggles under the weight of Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life stardom, diluting some of its critical messages.
In Vettaiyan, Rajinikanth plays SP Athiyan, an encounter specialist who believes that justice delayed is justice denied. His character’s philosophy contrasts sharply with Judge Satyadev, played by Amitabh Bachchan, who advocates for human rights and opposes the notion of hurried justice. This clash of ideologies frames the story, which kicks into gear after the murder of government school teacher Sandhya (Dushara Vijayan). Under immense public and political pressure, Athiyan ends up killing the wrong man in his quest for justice. Realizing his mistake, he sets out to uncover the real culprit, plunging into a moral quandary. Will Athiyan revert to his old methods, or will he embrace a more thoughtful approach to justice?
The film’s first act caters directly to Rajini fans, featuring the typical intro fight, a dance number, and plenty of his signature style. Once these obligatory elements are out of the way, Vettaiyan shifts into a briskly-paced investigative thriller. The first half moves swiftly, keeping viewers hooked with its fast-paced narration and a satisfying mid-point twist. However, the second half struggles to maintain this momentum. The story becomes preachy, and the pacing falters, especially in the lead-up to the final showdown between Rajinikanth and Rana Daggubati, which feels formulaic.
Despite these pacing issues, Vettaiyan asks important questions about the ethics of police encounters, highlighting how external pressures like media trials and public outrage can lead to disastrous consequences. It also touches on how socio-economic biases influence police investigations, and how the rich manipulate the education system to the detriment of underprivileged students.
Rajinikanth, as expected, dominates the film, but his towering presence diminishes the impact of other characters. Despite this, Fahadh Faasil stands out as Patrick, a street-smart tech expert who assists Athiyan. Fahadh injects humor and energy into his scenes, adding a much-needed break from the film’s otherwise serious tone. Amitabh Bachchan brings gravitas to his role, though his confrontations with Rajinikanth lack the dramatic weight one might expect from such legendary actors sharing the screen. Manju Warrier plays a supporting role as Athiyan’s wife, though she gets her moment to shine in a pivotal scene toward the end.
In Vettaiyan, Gnanavel delivers another socially-conscious narrative, though this time it’s wrapped in the trappings of a star-driven commercial thriller. The film succeeds in raising meaningful questions about justice and inequality, but it ultimately plays it safe, relying on familiar tropes to satisfy Rajini’s fanbase. Despite its flaws, Vettaiyan provides enough thrills and thoughtful moments to make it a worthwhile watch for fans of both the superstar and socially-engaged cinema.