A deep cut political drama, Viduthalai 1 was one of the most talked about films with layered, detailed and themes, the inspiring making and the sheer characters from the pen of Vetrimaaran. Viduthalai 2 is a prequel in terms of the story, diving into the history of Perumal Vaathiyar, his beliefs and ideologies and discusses the root cause of the rise of a strong activist.
Viduthalai 2 Plot
Aftermath of the arrest of the revolutionist / activist Perumal Vaathiyar while being transferred from a compromised location to another safer police base, narrates his life story to the group of policemen. His blood-soaked experience and highlighted parts from his past serves as the narration among the few present day moments and revelations that changes the goals and clarities of some.
The Positive Aspects
Vetrimaaran’s vision for Viduthalai 2 is clear from the get go, from characters remaining in their stands, visibly unchanged from the first part, making the audience await for a shift, a change that created the hype from the first movie and the change that is seeded gradually for the audience to seamlessly understand the narration.
The characters written with dense and healthy stories with traits that are of varying levels from Vijay Sethupathi’s casual, calm demeanor reflecting the odds and downs faced by Perumal Vaathiyar that leaves him with a ‘know- it-all’ personality while Officer in Charge Ragavendar who has lost his moral compass in the journey of attaining power and ego, Vetrimaaran succeeds in engaging the audience in the first half with the backhand commentary about such character definitions.
The way Ken Karunas’ character Karuppan sets a firm and sturdy base for Viduthalai 2 to be built on is epic. Karuppan with his innate anger when triggered showcases fierce anti statements and takes the matter of justice through violence. It is through Karuppan the rest of the movie progresses, the ideologies and ethics are born, at least for the protagonist. The few minutes of Karuppan and his tragic fight for an egalitarian society for the betterment of his future generations is a powerful cinematic moment.
We are excited to announce that Viduthalai Part 2 is coming to theaters worldwide on December 20. Get ready for the next chapter!#ViduthalaiPart2FromDec20
— RS Infotainment (@rsinfotainment) August 29, 2024
An @ilaiyaraaja Musical @VijaySethuOffl @sooriofficial @elredkumar @rsinfotainment @GrassRootFilmCo @ManjuWarrier4… pic.twitter.com/G3MDa4uFKc
There are also certain moments of significance that nudges the movie in a different perspective where the egoistic and selfish Police Incharge played by Chetan is rescued by Vaathiyaar or the subsequent scene where he makes him confess his deadly secrets or when the assumed tentative incharge who was roped in the final moment to take over the operation makes a purely selfish and greedy decision in the Climax, makes up for few thrilling moments. It is also easily elevated by the maestro Ilayaraja’s music who not only uses sound but also silence to his benefit, transcending the thrill elements in the film.
The Negative Aspects
Viduthalai 2 although does have the weight on its shoulders to indulge into the life and story of Vaathiyaar takes a long trip down the lane, especially with hefty characters and heavy dialogues that slips into the line of a documentary and tries crawling back into the narration.
The vapid narration that sometimes overlaps the current happenings on screen accompanied by a present day narration, just like the first part where Kumaresan writes to his mother, dulls the vivid and clear visuals that are already narrating the story. The Sickle sharp start does not follow till the end, especially when Kumaresan just becomes a passive listener and mostly an observant whose time only came in the climax, that too paired with unsaid emotions and obvious narration of a shared thought that Vaathiyar in the eyes of an outsider like Kumaresan is innocent while the other side as Rajeev Menon, Ilavarasu and the political power holders perceives Vaathiyaar the other way.
Step into the world of #ViduthalaiPart2, where the fury of Vaathiyar unfolds. Directed by the master #VetriMaaran. #ViduthalaiPart2FirstLook#ValourAndLove
— RS Infotainment (@rsinfotainment) July 17, 2024
An @ilaiyaraaja Musical @VijaySethuOffl @sooriofficial @elredkumar @rsinfotainment @GrassRootFilmCo @ManjuWarrier4… pic.twitter.com/LZH8gDpKli
The emotional disconnect between Vaathiyar and Mahalakshmi especially the lack of reasoning for the latter’s character to stand against her own family’s oppression against the workers in their sugarcane factory, a missing puzzle piece of her own evolution and thoughts into becoming who she is or her subsequent and abrupt change into a mellow character.
Revise your Prequel ahead ‘Viduthalai 2’ release now available for free in Zee 5The Verdict
An unusual sequel (or prequel) for a political themed movie that is sharp with the message and visibly extreme characters who are actively involved in the change, yet the plot becomes dormant and preachy with the narrations and dialogues. A strong story, compulsive message, much needed history that is overdone.
