Vidhuthalai Part 1 review: Vetrimaaran’s film rages against abuse of institutional power

Soori makes us believe that Kumaresan is an actual person. Soori told the media ahead of the film’s release that Vetrimaaran chose him because he saw ‘innocence’ in his face, and that’s exactly why we start rooting for Kumaresan. Yet, he is not just this epitome of innocence. He is also adamant when it comes to what is right and wrong. He refuses to apologise to the camp’s head Ragavendar (Chethan) because the naïve constable believes he hasn’t done any wrong. Seeing this insubordination, a fellow cop tells Kumaresan, “You are not at all fit for police work.” Unconditional obedience is what makes this power structure work, not righteousness. That’s why Kumaresan, a believer in Saint Vallalar’s teachings, is unable to apologise. A costly mistake that keeps haunting him throughout his life. Ragavendar is upset that a ‘simple’ constable is not bowing down to him, and that’s the essence of the power abuse that the film addresses.

Every interrogation of a suspect, irrespective of gender, involves disrobing and physical assault. Ragavendar casually utters, “Treatment ah aarambinga (Start the treatment).” That just implies that they have a set of procedures to torture–as if they are from a textbook. It’s like Vetrimaaran telling us to define the word ‘organised crime’.

Apart from Soori’s casting, Vetrimaaran wins by choosing Gautam Menon as Sunil Menon and cinematographer Rajiv Menon as his senior officer. I won’t believe if someone says their real-life surnames have nothing to do with the role they are given to play in the film. And both the Menons keep referring to a ‘superboss’, who they are reporting to. The pyramid of power keeps going up and no one knows what the face at the top looks like. Everyone is a cog in the wheel of this giant institution that spins only to wield power. All these nuances make Viduthalai a layered film that achieves far more than Visaaranai.

The only bothering aspect of Viduthalai is its repetitive depiction of violence. Even before the triggering climax portion of the film, Vetri shows a lot of violence and we are soon numb. Maybe, that’s the point. Viduthalai is triggering because it is meant to.

Viduthalai cast: Soori, Gautham Menon, Chethan, Vijay Sethupathi

Viduthalai director: Vetrimaaran

Rating: 3.5/5