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If you’re expecting another Jailer, I’d suggest you adjust your expectations because this movie runs on a different tempo. While it has its moments, it’s not the kind of thrill ride you’d anticipate.
The plot revolves around whether a valiant hunter in the police force will take down a social monster using judicial power or resort to being an encounter specialist. The premise is intriguing, and while the story kept me engaged throughout, it was predictable. You can almost always tell where it’s heading, which takes away some of the thrill. Yet, the film handles socioeconomic and cultural issues effectively, though it doesn’t deliver the impact it could have.
Now, let’s talk about the cast. I mean, we’ve got Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil (FaFa), Manju Warrier, Rana Daggubati, Rohini—it’s a star-studded lineup. Rajini and Big B, as expected, had powerful appearances. But you know who stole the show? FaFa. Honestly, I can’t imagine this movie without him and his one-liners. He brought such humility and wit to his role that I felt he saved the film from falling into a boring rut. But even then, he wasn’t used to his full potential, and his character’s death felt rushed and emotionless. There was no time to process it, which was a huge letdown.
Manju Warrier? What a presence! She was so impactful in the limited screentime she had, and I kept wishing they had given her more. The same goes for Rana—impressive, but underutilized. I would’ve liked to see more of his character. Then there’s Rohini and Ritika Singh, who were barely given anything to work with. It makes you wonder why they were even there if they weren’t going to be used.
One thing I really appreciated about Vettaiyan was the lack of unnecessary dance numbers. You know how our films just throw in random songs for no reason? This one didn’t. The only dance number was right at the beginning, and I actually enjoyed it. Thank goodness they didn’t throw in five more songs just to follow the ritual. That said, the action sequences were underwhelming. I kept thinking, “Just give Rajini a gun already,” because the forced hand-to-hand combat scenes didn’t feel convincing or exciting.
The background music, though, was spot on. It really complemented the mood of the film without overpowering the scenes. It set the tone for the serious issues the movie was trying to address, though again, those issues didn’t hit as hard as I’d hoped.
The first half will keep you hooked, but the second half could have used some more “wow” moments. And the climax? It fell flat. For a film dealing with sensitive and weighty topics, the ending didn’t deliver the emotional impact I was hoping for. Rajini, while still holding on to his signature style, is clearly showing signs of aging. His agility isn’t what it used to be, but he still manages to keep the audience entertained. But in this story, the hero is just another character. He’s not larger than life here, which I think was an intentional shift.
The director, Gnanvel, who gave us the hard-hitting Jai Bhim, fell short of making Vettaiyan as impactful. FaFa’s role was good, but again, his death scene was hurried, and it just didn’t feel like the emotional high it should have been.
So, is Vettaiyan worth your time? Sure, but keep your expectations in check. It’s not another Jailer. It has its moments, but with a cast like Rajini, Big B, FaFa, Manju Warrier, Rana, and the rest, you’d expect more. It’s a decent one-time watch, but it leaves you wondering what could’ve been if the cast had been utilized better.
Anyway, what do you think? Did Vettaiyan live up to your expectations, or did you, like me, feel like it had potential that wasn’t fully tapped into?
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