“Vettaiyan: Rajinikanth Shines in a Thoughtful, Gripping Cop Drama”

In Vettaiyan, Rajinikanth returns as Athiyan, a no-nonsense Superintendent of Police and ruthless encounter specialist based in Kanyakumari. Directed by Jai Bhim’s TJ Gnanavel, the film centers on Athiyan’s relentless pursuit of justice, aided by his informer, Patrick (Fahadh Faasil). When a schoolteacher named Saranya (Dushara Vijayan) is brutally murdered after tipping Athiyan off about a drug cache, he teams up with Harish Kumar (Kishore) to find the culprit, only to face resistance from his superior, DGP Sathyadev (Amitabh Bachchan), who opposes encounter killings.

Rajinikanth delivers a powerful, restrained performance, allowing the narrative to breathe without overshadowing it with his superstar persona. Amitabh Bachchan provides a perfect foil to Rajini’s intensity, and Fahadh Faasil, Dushara Vijayan, and Kishore add gravitas to the film. However, supporting actors like Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and Rana Daggubati are underutilized, with Rana’s role feeling particularly one-dimensional.

Gnanavel’s screenplay is engaging, blending gritty investigative sequences with emotional depth. The film’s core message is strong: justice must not sacrifice ethics. However, certain commercial compromises undermine its thematic consistency, and the antagonist’s arc feels underdeveloped. The second half also leans toward preachiness, causing the narrative to drag.

Technically, SR Kathir’s cinematography stands out, especially in the well-executed action scenes. Anirudh’s score, while muted, complements the tone, and Sean Roldan’s melancholic song leaves a lasting impact. Philomin Raj’s editing could have been tighter, particularly in the final act.

Vettaiyan offers a fresh take on the cop genre, driven by Rajinikanth’s stellar performance and Gnanavel’s thoughtful storytelling, despite its minor flaws.