Cast: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan

Crew: 

Music by Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematography by S. R. Kathir
Editing by Philomin Raj
Written by T. J. Gnanavel, B. Kiruthika
Directed by T. J. Gnanavel
Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah for Lyca Productions

Superstar Rajinikanth is known for his magnanimous screen presence and larger-than-life star power. His one small stylish gesture can send tremors at the box office. When such a star accepts to be part of a film made by T.J. Gnanavel, who directed Jai Bhim previously, the expectations would be to watch him in a complete content-friendly commercial film. On top of that, when he is part of an all-time dream ensemble cast like Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier, sky is the limit for an audience member's imagination. With such huge hype and buzz, Vettaiyan released on 10th October, worldwide. Let's talk about the movie in detail. 

Plot: 

SP Athiyan(Rajinikanth) posted in Kanniyakumari district, receives a complaint from an activist government school teacher Saranya(Dushara Vijayan). She complaints to him about drug usage in schools. He starts his investigation to find the culprit with the help of Patrick aka "Battery"(Fahadh Faasil) and kills him in a staged encounter. Athiyan kills even a corrupt police officier in the process. Athiyan keeps facing inquiries related to his encounters and Human Rights Activist, Judge Sathyadev(Amitabh Bachchan) keeps objecting to such encounters, in principle. 

One day Saranya gets brutally sexually harassed and murdered. Athiyan wants to investigate her case but Chennai police doesn't allow him to. On the other hand, government teachers and lecturers start putting pressure about quick resolution in Saranya's case. When the special investigation team catches the harasser and he flees, Athiyan gets the task to kill him in an encounter in just a week. He finishes his job in 48 hours but Sathyadev tells him that the assumed harasser was innocent. Athiyan starts his investigation and gets to know that Natraj(Rana Daggubati) was involved in the matter. What was the issue? Why Saranya got killed? Why someone else was framed? Watch the movie to know more.   

Analysis:

Superstar Rajinikanth is in full form but this time as an actor more than the star. With his subtle expressions and effective body language, he conveys a lot without being over dramatic. He is measured, settled and sharp as Athiyan and the character is tailor-made for him. After him, Fahadh Faasil leaves a great impression on us. His free flowing body language, effective comic timing and liveliness adds great dimension to his otherwise simple character. Amitabh Bachchan, asusual, is great in the character. Among others Dushara Vijayan got a very meaty character and she did her best. Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier, Rana are fine. 

When it comes to writing, the movie could have been even sharp and effective emotionally. While there are beats spread everywhere, writers did not really explore them to their full potential. Villian arc, especially, looks undercooked and even Amitabh Bachchan's character feels too one dimensional. The intention to tell a story is honest and even certain elements do touch right chords but many seem to be narrated in a plain and uninteresting manner. At certain places, the narrative looks a little bit too sloppy and this uneven tone acts as a hassle in connecting with the characters. 

The film talks about change in Athiyan's attitude, Dushara's noble intentions and even a very neccessary point like how education is being commercialised in every possible way but everything got cramped in one film, you feel so. It feels like you're being asked to connect with multiple characters at a time with multiple perspectives while the demon is always "Greed". While Justice delayed is Justice denied and quick justice is not right justice, the movie also needed to focus on one issue and go into the roots of it while giving priority to others. 

Even though it feels a little bit lengthy, the movie does make it point in an engaging manner to an extent. The over dependency on cliched aspects does impact the overall the effectiveness. Still, Vettaiyan belongs to performers or actors and this movie explores "actor Rajinikanth", in the best possible way in recent times. Musical score by Anirudh Ravichander is the major asset of this film. He kept giving much required pep to the scenes. Editing could have been better with several cuts being a bit jarry and Cinematography is good. 

In Conclusion:

Vettaiyan delivers a very important social message and it is a "Superstar" film that tries to be honest to content than just celebrate the Star. On the whole, Vettaiyan could have been narrated better but it is definitely a one-time watch. 

Rating: 3/5