Vettaiyan (2024) Movie Review

Vettaiyan is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action drama directed by T. J. Gnanavel, starring Rajinikanth in the lead role. The film marks Rajinikanth’s 170th film and centers around his character, Athiyan, a senior police officer who accidentally shoots an innocent person during a high-stakes encounter while investigating the murder of a teacher. The movie also features a star-studded ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan (in his Tamil debut), Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, and Manju Warrier. Released on 10 October 2024, Vettaiyan received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances but found the storyline and pacing lacking. Despite the hype, the film underperformed at the box office.

Cast:

• Rajinikanth stars as Athiyan, a seasoned and principled police officer whose life takes a dramatic turn after the shooting incident.
• Amitabh Bachchan makes his Tamil debut in a significant role, adding star power to the film.
• Fahadh Faasil and Rana Daggubati play important supporting roles, with Manju Warrier and Ritika Singh also contributing to the film’s emotional core.
• Dushara Vijayan, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, and others play key supporting characters, rounding out the cast with strong performances.

Story:

The plot of Vettaiyan revolves around Athiyan, a senior police officer who is forced to confront his own sense of morality and responsibility after an accidental killing during a police encounter. While investigating the murder of a teacher, he inadvertently shoots an innocent person, leading to an internal struggle and a public outcry. The film explores themes of guilt, redemption, justice, and the complex realities of policing in modern India. As Athiyan battles personal demons and faces external pressure from various quarters, the movie delves into the political and societal ramifications of his actions. However, the pacing of the narrative and the development of the characters leave much to be desired, and at times, the film struggles to maintain momentum.

Screenshots:

Hit or Flop:

Despite the massive hype surrounding Rajinikanth’s 170th film, Vettaiyan has underperformed at the box office. With an estimated budget of ₹300 crore, the film grossed approximately ₹230–250 crore, making it a flop in terms of its financial expectations. While Rajinikanth’s performance received praise and the film’s technical aspects (like cinematography by S. R. Kathir and the music by Anirudh Ravichander) were appreciated, the storyline’s execution and the film’s pacing were widely criticized. The film also failed to live up to the high expectations set by the star power and the hype, leading to mixed reviews.

Conclusion:
Vettaiyan is a star-driven action drama that falters due to its inconsistent pacing and underwhelming storyline. While Rajinikanth delivers a solid performance as the conflicted police officer, the narrative lacks the depth and engagement needed to keep the audience fully invested. The film has its moments, especially in the action sequences and emotional scenes, but it doesn’t quite reach the high standards set by the director’s previous works or Rajinikanth’s past blockbusters. For fans of the superstar and those who enjoy action films, Vettaiyan may still offer some entertainment, but for many, it feels like a missed opportunity.