Production: Sun Pictures, AVM Productions
Direction: Babu Sivan
Star casts: Vijay, Anushka, Salim Ghosh, Shayaji Shinde, Satyan, Sri Hari and others.
Music: Vijay Anthony
Cinematography: Gopinath
Editing: V.T. Vijayan

For those, who were down in the mouth about Vijay's previous films, you've nothing special in Vijay's 'Vettaikaran'. But, it's slightly average than his previous flicks - 'Kuruvi' and 'Villu'. Possibly, you would be curious to know whether Vijay has imitated anything from Telugu actor Mahesh Babu. Of course, he has aped certain style of uttering dialogues as the same way he does. Indeed, there's a particular shot of breaking a pillar stone just in bare hands (Mahesh Babu in 'Athadu').

The film's synopsis isn't substantial as it offers reminiscences of Vijay previous films 'Tirupatchi', 'Bhagavathy' and few of that sort. Babu Sivan seems to have collected the scenes of other films made by his mentors Dharani and Perarasu.

Set in backdrops of Tuticorin, Ravi (Vijay) is a happy-go-lucky youngster, who adores Devraj IPS as his role model and aspires to be a cop like him. But then, he has passed his 12th Std exams even after 3 attempts. Luckily, he's done with the pending subjects with successful grade on the next attempt and flees to Chennai to join a college and fulfill his dream.

Vividly inspired by Devraj IPS, Ravi earns his livelihood by driving auto after his college hours. He is still dreaming about his dream angel Susheela (Anushka) he met her over the train while journeying from Tuticorin to Chennai and later meets her again. Everything is fine for Ravi until he comes across a troublesome Chella, son a roughneck Vedanayagam (Salim Ghosh), who has control over entire Chennai.

Clashes do takes place between Ravi and the baddies and there we have a shocking fact about Devraj IPS, who has lost his career, eyesight and his family because of Vedanayagam.

Now, Ravi vows to overthrow the realms of baddies and starts striking with his fists of actions that move in a much cliched way.

Vijay has come up delivering his earnest efforts for better results. It's surprising to see that the first half doesn't has any stunt sequences or punch dialogues (until pre-interval fight), but the latter part is so overdosed with these elements. There are more traces of 'Bhagavathy' of Vijay taking law into his hands with his group of friends to bring down Vedanayagam and co. Anushka, the bootylicious missy offers a great show of glamorous treat and she dances extremely well.

Salim Ghosh does justice to his role with his dialogue delivery and makeover. There aren't any specified comedians in the film and Vijay scores brownie points on these quotients. The person enacting the role of Devraj IPS requires special mention, though he reminds off Nasser in Dharani’s ‘Dhill’ (the same characterization of a cop affected by baddies).

Technically, the camerawork and editing disappoints you as the technicians have been repeating the same shots and angle placements as in previous Vijay's films. Vijay Antony's musical score adds more strength to the film and placement of songs are perfect. But, some of his background score reminds us off 'Tirupatchi'. 'Oru Chinna Thamarai' and 'Uchimandaiyla' are sure to be grand treats for those who expect a lot from Vijay’s dance.

Babu Sivan has crafted an entertaining first half (90mins) that is so racy and you won't feel the long duration. But the second half (75mins) is neatly tailored with cliched moments of hero offending villain, villain bumping of hero's friend and finally settling the scores. The climax sequence of Salim Ghosh's death has been done innovatively where the hero remains just as a propeller.

Finally, it's a not-good-not-bad situation when it comes about marking verdicts for 'Vettaikaran'. If Babu Sivan had well-crafted the screenplay in second half, then this film would have been an excellent entertainer. But overdosed stunts and loud dialogues act as a spoiler for the laudable presentation in first half.

With Sun Pictures involved vigorous promotions, the film has probabilities of becoming a top-drawer at box office.

Verdict: Strictly for Vijay fans.
Richard Mahesh

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