Vettaiyan: The Good and the Bad of Rajinikanth's Investigative Drama

Superstar Rajinikanth has returned to the silver screen with his much-awaited film Vettaiyan. The investigative action entertainer is directed by TJ Gnanavel of Jai Bhim fame and features an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier and Rithika Singh, among others. Before watching the film, here is a breakdown of all the good and bad aspects of Vettaiyan:

Vettaiyan: The good

1. Captivating plot: TJ Gnanavel's story has an enticing plot with a good mix of powerful emotions and sheds light on several important questions that arise in the society of powerful people. Most of the characters fit into the narrative very organically, which makes it more exciting. Based on the story, this film seems to be more than just a great Rajinikanth entertainer.
2. Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan together on the big screen: It's always a pleasure to see when two legends of Indian cinema come together on screen. In Vettaiyan, we see Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan sharing the screen as two individuals with conflicting opinions and approaches towards social justice. The Rajini-Big B combo was last seen together in the 1991 superhit Hindi film Hum.
3. The Fahadh Faasil Magic: Building on the success of the Malayalam blockbuster Aavesham, Fahadh brings a lot to the table as Rajinikanth's right-hand man in Vettaiyan. He plays a central role in the progression of the plot and captivates audiences with his charming energy and light-hearted comedy on screen.
4. Anirudh's background music, the mainstay of Vettaiyan: Anirudh has emerged as one of the most sought-after music composers in the country, delivering back-to-back hits across the film industry. While he has faced a lot of criticism and criticism on social media due to the similarity of his projects, the sheer value his background music adds to the cinematic experience is undeniable.

Vettaiyan: The negatives

1. The script and execution did not meet expectations: Screenwriter B Kiruthika seems to have failed to strike the right balance between making the most of Rajinikanth's screen presence and keeping the story as the central character of the proceedings. It felt like the makers were at odds over showcasing Rajinikanth's mass personality and keeping the story going and in the end there were obstacles on both sides.
2. Outdated camera work and framing: The approach to camera work and framing in the film was quite simple. It doesn't seem to contribute much to the viewers' visual experience. Even in crucial scenes or climactic scenes where Anirudh's background music does wonders, the camera work and framing seem more like a bump than a smooth ride.
3. Hit and miss with 'Rajini-ism' on screen: It would be commendable if Vettaiyan's team had taken the approach of completely abandoning the image of 'Thalaivar Rajinikanth' and focusing more on the dynamic performance of the veteran actor. A disappointing attempt at 'Rajini-ism' was poorly executed and highlighted director TJ Gnanavel's lack of mastery in this particular area of ​​cinematic storytelling.