Vettaiyan review | Rajini neatly delivers Gnanavel's author-backed role

TJ Gnanavel, the director of the arresting emotional courtroom drama Jai Bhim, is back with his new film Vettaiyan with the veteran superstar Rajinikanth.

While Jai Bhim is completely content driven without any commercial elements, Vettaiyan has a mix of heroic elements and a core subject that debates the contentious line between the encounter execution of accused persons and human rights.

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The story

Athiyan (Rajinikanth) is a senior cop and a renowned encounter specialist. Whenever the government wants to nab criminals, Athiyan is the go-to man.

Meanwhile, Sathyadev (Amitabh Bachchan) is a senior judge who believes that cops shouldn’t take the law into their own hands.

The back and forth on police encounters vs human rights develops through screenplay proceedings.

However, there comes a point when Athiyan becomes a scapegoat and kills an innocent youngster in an encounter. Now, he has to nab influential businessman Natraj (Rana Daggubati) against all odds.

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Probe drama

The first half of Vettaiyan is a template investigation drama filled with typical mass moments and cop procedural elements. It gains momentum only towards the intermission.

Gnanavel has treated the second half with gallery-pleasing moments, recalling films of Shankar and KS Ravikumar produced in their hey days.

Rajinikanth as the aged cop doesn't deviate much from his core characterisation. It's a great sight to see him playing an author-backed role without commercial hindrance.

Others who shine  

While Rajinikanth plays a serious cop, the entertainment value of Vettaiyan is amplified by Fahadh Faasil and his light-hearted performance. Fahadh is simply brilliant, with witty one-liners and effortless dialogue delivery.

Among the rest of the actors, Amitabh Bachchan gets an important role but the scope to perform is limited. Dushara Vijayan is very natural while Ritika Singh is adequate. The much-anticipated character of Manju Warrier is underwritten while others are just okay.

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Rana Daggubati, the main antagonist, appears only in the second part of the second half and his character is a weak link. There's little scope for him to perform.

Cinematography, music

SR Kathir’s cinematography is one of the key highlights of the film. He stylishly showcases Rajinikanth to elevate his mass image and, at the same time, makes sure the core story of Gnanavel is not lost.

Anirudh Ravichander once again shines. His background score singlehandedly lifts the film whenever the pace dips. The film could’ve been shorter by 15-20 minutes as most of the scenes are predictable in both halves. 

The film begins with Amitabh’s lecture to IPS officers on why cops shouldn’t encourage encounters and take the law into their own hands. Gnanavel, who started his career as a journalist, brings the film to its logical conclusion. 

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Vettaiyan is a watchable film with enough high moments and a strong social message. However, the Gnanavel's screenplay struggles a bit, stuck as it is between commercial flavor and realistic narration.

It's a 'different' Rajinikanth film that is adequately entertaining.