Vettaiyan: The Hunter Review: Rajinikanth Delivers Destruction and Demise with Mastery
Vettaiyan: The Hunter Review: The imposing figure of Rana Daggubati serves as a stark contrast to both Rajinikanth and Fahadh Faasil.
For decades, the dynamic between law enforcement and criminals has been a cornerstone of action films, often limiting the scope for creativity among screenwriters. Therefore, one might question whether Vettaiyan: The Hunter, the Hindi dubbed version of the Tamil police drama that has gained traction due to Rajinikanth's widespread popularity, offers anything remarkable.
Operating within a conventional framework, writer-director TJ Gnanavel introduces several innovative thematic elements in Vettaiyan. While the film's pacing and focus may occasionally feel inconsistent, it ultimately presents a narrative that is not entirely forgettable.
The film clearly originates from a creator grappling with pressing questions and unafraid to articulate them comprehensively. Some of the themes explored in Vettaiyan: The Hunter, despite occasionally veering into didacticism, resonate with relevance and challenge the status quo.
While the film includes familiar tropes typical of a Rajinikanth production, it strives to imbue the narrative with a moral foundation, aiming to contextualize the difficult decisions faced by a superintendent of the Tamil Nadu Police as he navigates his role as a formidable encounter specialist.
When I take aim, I always hit my target, asserts SP Athiyan (Rajinikanth), stationed in Kanniyakumari, after each successful shot he fires. He believes he never misses, or at least that is his conviction.
Justice Satyadev (Amitabh Bachchan) holds a contrasting perspective. He is vehemently opposed to extrajudicial killings and embodies a philosophy that starkly contrasts with SP Athiyan's methods of law enforcement. Their differing ideologies clash in Vettaiyan.
The police officer maintains that criminals warrant no compassion, while the legal expert counters that the solution to lawlessness cannot be further lawlessness. This is exemplified in the film's opening scene, where he addresses new police recruits on the importance of "upholding human rights through law." It raises the question: when was the last time the concepts of "policing" and "human rights" were mentioned together in an Indian film?
Vettaiyan: The Hunter is a star-studded film featuring prominent male actors from the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi film industries. The dynamic Fahadh Faasil, whose introduction in the film precedes Rajinikanth's grand entrance, portrays a clever and resourceful ex-convict who serves as the hero's most reliable informant.
Rana Daggubati, tall and robust, represents a stark contrast to both Rajinikanth and Fahadh Faasil. His character exists at the opposite end of the moral spectrum from SP Athiyan and his dependable aide, Patrick, also known as Battery (Faasil).
Additionally, Amitabh Bachchan lends his resonant voice to the role of a wise advisor in this narrative about systemic oppression, which premiered nationwide just before his 82nd birthday, marking his onscreen reunion with Rajinikanth 33 years after their collaboration in Hum.
The female characters in Vettaiyan are not sidelined, particularly exemplified by Ritika Singh, who portrays a rookie police officer learning from the finest in the field. Manju Warrier takes on the role of SP Athiyan's wife, a woman who hosts a live cooking show while also being an exceptional marksman. Her prowess is showcased when intruders approach her during the night in her home.
A pivotal character in the narrative is a schoolteacher, played by Dushara Vijayan, who has appeared in films directed by Pa Ranjith and Dhanush over the past three years. Her choices and actions significantly influence the unfolding events in Vettaiyan.
Regarding action, the film is replete with it. Although certain elements of Vettaiyan may resonate with Jailer, it distinguishes itself from last year's blockbuster in a crucial aspect: Rajinikanth is depicted in a more direct action-oriented role, engaging in destruction and chaos with remarkable skill.
In Jailer, the superstar functioned as a strategist, orchestrating violent confrontations against adversaries. In contrast, here he embodies a solitary force, actively participating in the action. While Rajini's fans are likely to be satisfied, from a narrative standpoint, it could be argued that Rajinikanth might have delivered a more authentic performance had he embraced his character's age.
The script by Gnanavel, co-written with B. Kiruthika, delves deeper than merely questioning the morality of staged police encounters aimed at punishing alleged criminals. It explores issues of class and caste bias within the policing framework, the educational system's inequities favoring the affluent, and the corruption present within the institutions responsible for delivering justice to marginalized communities.
Approximately 30 minutes into the film, Vettaiyan, which initially aims to captivate the Rajinikanth fanbase, begins to gain momentum. This momentum is maintained until the intermission, marked by the defeat of several criminals and a harrowing incident of rape and murder that tarnishes SP Athiyan's previously impeccable reputation.
Following the interval, Athiyan faces the risk of devolving into a series of rhetorical sequences aimed at raising and addressing issues surrounding a significant miscarriage of justice. Doubts are justifiably cast upon the dubious methods employed by the protagonist in his quest to apprehend lawbreakers whom he suspects are colluding with politicians and bureaucrats.
At a pivotal moment, SP Athiyan comes to the realization that he has overstepped the boundaries of acceptable conduct. In an effort to atone for the irreparable harm inflicted upon the future of a family that has already suffered greatly and is striving to escape poverty through education, he earnestly engages in the task of making reparations, spurred on by Justice Satyadev.
Gnanavel, as he effectively illustrated in Jai Bhim, possesses a distinct perspective on the society in which he resides, a society marked by deep-seated biases where the marginalized have little hope of challenging an indifferent and exploitative system dominated by the affluent and powerful.
While he capitalizes on Rajnikanth's iconic persona, demeanor, and ability to engage audiences, Gnanavel's motivations extend beyond mere commercial interests. He gains significant traction from the film's critique of a corrupt education system that profits from individuals who, like many others, aspire for liberation but, unlike the more privileged, lack the financial resources to realize their dreams.
Vettaiyan is a film that prominently features Rajnikanth, yet it is not exclusively aimed at his admirers. The narrative addresses significant societal issues and showcases Fahadh Faasil in an impressive performance. When the film falters or becomes mired in excessive moralizing, it is Faasil's talent that elevates the production; he proves to be much more than a mere embellishment, consistently delivering a compelling performance.
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier
Director: T.J. Gnanavel
🎬 Movie: Vettaiyan: The Hunter
📅 Year: 2024
🔊 League: Tamil
🔅 IMDB: 8.5
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Written by: JD