Viduthalai Part 2 movie image

Director Vetrimaaran continues his politically charged storytelling with themes of oppression, the division of human being on the basis of caste and need to question the flaws in the system. The movie often slips into a highly sermonizing zone but for fans of stories with political undertones this is a must watch

Starcast: Vijay Sethupathi, Manju Warrier, Soori, Rajiv Menon, Kishore and others

Direction and screenplay: Vetrimaaran

Based on: Thunavian by B Jeyamohan and Vengaichami by Thangam

Music: Ilaiyaraaja

Cinematography: R Velraj

Production Companies: RS Infotainment and Grassroot Film Company

Producers: Vetrimaaran and Elred Kumar

Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

P A Ranjith and Vetrimaaran are two of the most politically charged filmmakers in mainstream Tamil Cinema. Their movies always feature the suppression of the poor. A very good example of this is Vetrimaaran’s Asuran. It was a powerful take on the caste system making the viewers root for the quest of the central protagonist in protecting his family. The first part of Viduthalai was also a good addition to Vetrimaaran’s filmography. The plot focused on a new joined police personnel Kumeresan played by Soori. As the story progresses he gets caught in the tussle between the police department and the local activist group.

Viduthalai part 1

The movie was highly engrossing engaging the viewers from the first frame with its conflict points. The scenes of police brutality had a very raw nature to it disturbing the audiences. Vijay Sethupati as the leader of the activist group didn’t have a lot of screen time but the national award winner brought in a lot of conviction. Viduthalai part 2 focuses on the events following the arrest of Vijay Sethupati’s Vaathiyar. While the first part was majorly about Soori’s Kumeresan, this time around the narrative focuses on the backstory of Vaathiyar. Before becoming a social crusader Perumal aka Vaathiyar was a normal school teacher. His journey and eventually what happens in the present time forms the core plot of Viduthalai Part 2.

Just like Vetrimaaran’s previous movies here too the major highlight is the hard hitting presentation. The movie focuses on a number of issues taking back the viewers to the times of monstrous zamindars for whom the poor were just meant to be muscled away. A hugely disturbing scene in the first half includes the portion where an evil zamindar rapes a woman who serves him. The events following the heinous incident changes the life of a normal teacher forever.

Similarly the struggles of peasants and how they are exploited touches a raw nerve. The movie also gets into the origin of communism and the movements related to it. The first half also has a romantic subplot between Vijay Sethupati and Manju Warrier. The love story between them has some adorable moments bringing a smile to the viewers face. Manju Warrier’s character is not confined to only romantic scenes, she is also a key member of the party with an agency of her own. In the beginning portions she is seen sporting short hair for a particular reason which can’t be revealed here.

The movie also talks about how the activists can also go the wrong way with violence never being a permanent solution. Mention must also be made of the scenes in which the authorities are seen trying to cover up their failures or trying to give a new spin.

What pulls down the movie though is a certain sense of repetition. At times the movie keeps circling around similar themes with heavy sermonizing. This results in a certain fatigue particularly for those who aren’t into politically charged storytelling. More brevity was needed, also Kumaresan’s coming of age would have had more impact with better writing.

Soori is largely relegated to the sidelines making the viewers miss his presence. Soori does make his presence amply felt in spite of the limited screen time but the impact of the first part is diluted here. The movie could also have done with crisper dialogues at some points.

As Vaathiyar Vijay Sethupati pulls the characters transformation with his trademark finesse. He captures the simmering anger, empathy and certain remorse too in an impactful manner. Manju Warrier is suitably feisty proving to be a worthy comrade. She also brings a certain softness to the romantic scenes. Among the rest Rajiv Menon plays a powerful bureaucrat in an authoritative manner.

Vijay Sethupati as Vaathiyar in Viduthalai part 2

R Velaraj’ds cinematography is of the highest order. Particular mention must be made of the battles between the police personnel and the extremist groups in the dense forests. The music of the legendary Illaiyaraja is quite soulful with songs of different nature whether it is the tender love song between Vijay Sethupati and Manju Warrier or the more intense one perfectly capturing the resistance.

To sum it up Vidhulathai is a must watch for those who like Vetrimaaran’s storytelling and have an inclination towards intense political dramas.