Vettaiyan Review: Social Justice Drama Struggles to Escape the Shadow of Rajinikanth’s Star Power
By Pavethran Batmanathen
TJ Gnanavel’s “Vettaiyan” Attempts to Break the Supercop Mold but Struggles with Rajinikanth’s Star PersonaIn Vettaiyan, director TJ Gnanavel attempts to distance his film from the conventional supercop genre. The Tamil movie carries bold statements about police harassment, systemic biases, and the moral implications of extrajudicial encounters.
Gnanavel’s screenplay delivers a powerful critique of a subject Tamil cinema has long glorified: police encounters and a skewed form of vigilante justice that fans have enthusiastically embraced. Given Gnanavel’s track record—his critically acclaimed Jai Bhim (2021) shined a harsh light on police brutality—you’d expect Vettaiyan to carry similar weight.
And while it tries, any significant deviation from the typical Rajinikanth film formula is limited to dialogues scattered throughout the screenplay. In essence, Vettaiyan becomes more of an extravagant tribute to Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life persona than the subversive narrative it aims to be.Rajinikanth plays Athiyan, an “encounter specialist” who is the polar opposite of Suriya’s law-abiding Chandru from Jai Bhim.
Athiyan operates outside the confines of the law, taking it upon himself to eliminate criminals, meddling in cases that aren’t under his jurisdiction, and delivering his own brand of justice. His character is fueled by a deeply personal interpretation of right and wrong, which starkly contrasts with the legal morality championed by the supporting characters.
Assisting Athiyan in his quest for vigilante justice are Roopa, a determined police officer played by Ritika Singh, and Battery, a charming thief delightfully portrayed by Fahadh Faasil. However, looming over them all is the towering presence of Satyadev, a human rights lawyer played by Amitabh Bachchan. Satyadev stands as a moral counterweight to Athiyan, fighting for true justice and rejecting the shortcuts of vigilantism.
The film raises thought-provoking questions about the dangers of bending the law in the name of justice, especially after a particularly heinous crime is committed. These moments of introspection about class biases and herd mentality are some of the film’s most engaging, as Athiyan begins to reassess everything he thought he knew about being a police officer.
However, these meaningful scenes are frequently interrupted by exaggerated, larger-than-life action sequences, which detract from the film’s deeper themes.For a movie that purports to offer a new perspective on extrajudicial killings, Vettaiyan often feels conflicted. The film’s relentless need to celebrate Rajinikanth’s star power undermines its message. It’s not the sight of a septuagenarian Rajinikanth taking down foes with ease that feels out of place, but rather the way the film treats these moments, which often run counter to the social justice themes it wants to explore.
Vettaiyan attempts to argue for a world where justice is nuanced, complex, and not delivered hastily. Yet, at 163 minutes, the film ironically takes its time to arrive at this point. The journey feels unnecessarily prolonged, often bogged down by star-studded moments that don’t add much to the narrative.Anirudh Ravichander’s soundtrack is undeniably catchy, but it often serves as a cue for the audience to admire Athiyan’s swagger, rather than enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
The film’s villains, meanwhile, are largely forgettable, serving as disposable plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out characters.Manju Warrier makes a decorated special appearance, but her role is disappointingly underdeveloped, giving her little to work with. On the other hand, Amitabh Bachchan’s Satyadev and Fahadh Faasil’s Battery are among the few characters who leave a lasting impression. Satyadev, a clear nod to the legal legend Chandru from Jai Bhim, provides a moral anchor for the film, while Battery offers a delightful balance of humor and heart.
In Vettaiyan, Gnanavel’s distinctive voice is most evident in scenes where he challenges the audience to confront their own biases. Yet, the film is torn between paying homage to Rajinikanth’s iconic status and delivering a meaningful social commentary. This internal conflict leaves Vettaiyan in a difficult spot, where it struggles to fully satisfy as either a star-driven spectacle or a message-driven narrative.
By the end, the film leaves viewers uncertain as to which side of the battle—superstar adoration or social justice—emerges victorious.
About Author
