'Viduthalai Part 1' - Movie Review

Viduthalai Part 1 (Tamil)

Director: Vetri Maaran

Cast: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Chetan

Runtime: 150 minutes

Storyline: A new constable goes through a series of unfortunate events that leads him to hunt a separatist group’s leader

Review :

Vetri Maaran is a filmmaker whose films often follow the story of ordinary men, the underdogs who are trying to make a living for themselves, only to be caught up in chaos they must escape unscathed. While this might sound like a simplification, it does not dismiss the fact that all his films have been successful both critically and commercially, and this streak seems to have continued with his latest work, Viduthalai Part 1.

Vetri Maaran's films feature subservient policemen who follow orders or treacherous power-wielders who misuse them for malicious purposes. In Viduthalai, the audience is introduced to Kumaresan (played by Soori), a new constable at a police camp set in a village surrounded by thick forests near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. Kumaresan learns about the Makkal Padai movement headed by Perumal, played by Vijay Sethupathi. A mining company plans on bringing down the ecosystem surrounding the hamlet under the pretext of providing employment to thousands of oppressed people, with the government supporting them in the name of development. The revolutionaries want to save the villagers and the land from the clutches of corporate companies, while the police term the separatist group a terrorist organization. The villagers support Perumal, who represents their interests.

Despite discussing government affairs, the politics behind them, and the social issues pertaining to them, Viduthalai does not take sides on the rights and wrongs. Instead, it focuses on the conflict between the troops and the group, as well as the trials and tribulations of Kumaresan. He must make the difficult trade of his innocence and morals for recognition in his job and the love he has found in Tamizharasi, played by Bhavani Sre. Kumaresan's escapades are met with the slap of reality. He has to explore the unexplored and gain knowledge by understanding the locale's history and its tryst with those in power.

At its core, Viduthalai Part 1 is Kumaresan coming to terms with the harsh realities of the world, the powers vested in those in charge, how they can be misused at their will, and how those at the receiving end retaliate to it. He chooses to endure the punishment because what's right and what's decree isn't always the same. This leads to another confrontation with a senior who, sensing Kumaresan's resentment, asks if he would hit him, to which the once-meek constable answers affirmatively.

The film has a brilliant list of talent both behind and in front of the camera. Soori brims with energy and innocence as Kumaresan, and Bhavani Sre is neat as the strong-headed Tamizharasi. Chetan as Ragavendar and Gautham Menon as Sunil Menon do an excellent job as superior police officers. Vijay Sethupathi excels in an extended cameo. Cinematographer Velraj exceptionally portrays the treacherous terrains that are visibly difficult to even traverse through, let alone shoot a film in.

Despite starting as a single project and now stretched into two parts, Viduthalai Part 1 feels rushed with its narrative. So much is packed into it that we rarely get to linger and feel for the atrocities the villagers are subjected to. However, despite its flaws, Viduthalai Part 1 is a compelling film that showcases Vetri Maaran's unique style of storytelling.

Viduthalai Part 1 Currently Running In Theaters...

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