Vettaiyan - The Hunter Review

There are two types of movies: the first involves selecting a story, casting actors, hiring a crew, and then making the film; the second involves casting Rajinikanth and creating a movie centered around him. It's no surprise which category Vettaiyan falls into.

SP Athiyan IPS (Rajinikanth), a renowned encounter specialist, is posted in Kanyakumari and lives with his wife (Manju Warrier) and nephew. Feared by criminals, he's known as Vettaiyan, meaning The Hunter. A school teacher, Saranya (Dushara Vijayan), who advocates for students' rights, writes to him about illegal activities occurring in her school. Soon after, Saranya is brutally murdered. Athiyan takes matters into his own hands and kills the suspected murderer in a planned encounter. However, he later learns from a Supreme Court lawyer Sathyadev Bramhadutt Pande (Amitabh Bachchan) that he killed an innocent man and the real culprit is still at large.

If you're expecting a groundbreaking plot, you won't find it in Vettaiyan. And this isn't a showcase of Gnanavel's directorial brilliance like Jai Bhim was. Vettaiyan isn't layered or subtle, nor is it driven by story like Jai Bhim was. Instead, it's pure spectacle. Right from the opening credits trumpeting SUPERSTAR RAJINI, it's all fan service. And though the story is predictable and the swagger outshines acting, the audience - especially the Rajini fans - walk out of the cinema fully satiated.

Beneath the swagger and style, however, Vettaiyan still has a core message - a sharp commentary on India's education system. The film ventures into uncomfortable territory, stirring up a conversation that some may find unsettling. It also doesn't shy away from provoking debate - questioning encounter killings that disproportionately target the poor while the rich remain untouched. It also touches upon the problems of our times such as media trials, mob justice, corrupt politics, and, especially, the education mafia.

Overall, the intent is clear and genuine, but the execution, for the most part, doesn't stay on course. The frequent detours to glorify the superstar at its heart tend to dilute the impact - Gnanavel has to grapple with the challenge of using one of the most powerful voices in cinema to deliver a critical message while keeping the style intact, and it's not always fluid.

As mentioned, the story isn't the movie's main draw. However, the dialogues certainly are. In several scenes, particularly those featuring Rajini and Bachchan facing off, the exchanges are sharp and impactful. The filmmakers have clearly put effort into packaging the moments between the two iconic superstars, reuniting them 33 years after their last collaboration in Hum.

Speaking of packaging, the casting is nothing short of impeccable. The film pulls talent from across industries: Manju Warrier and Fahadh Faasil from Malayalam, Rana Daggubati and Rao Ramesh from Telugu, Amitabh Bachchan from Hindi, and, of course, Rajini from Tamil, alongside a host of other actors. This ensemble cast not only adds depth but also cleverly caters to fans across both North and South India.

Now, let's talk about the blatant flaws. The movie was originally made in Tamil and dubbed into several languages, including Telugu, and it suffers from the typical issues associated with dubbing. References to characters, media sequences, posters, placards, police stations, bus stops and even character names all scream Tamil. This makes the dubbed version feel somewhat out of sync. And the lip sync is another major problem. While Bachchan is a polyglot - fluent in Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri and English - he isn't fluent in Telugu or Tamil. The director tries to work around this by having him speak in English during close-ups, and using an AI-generated voice for mid- and long-range shots where he speaks Telugu. However, these inconsistencies are noticeable and linger in your mind.

Rajini, as expected, commands the screen with his signature charisma. Every scene pulses with his energy, leaving no doubt why he's still a force. Fahadh Faasil brings a playful unpredictability, lighting up the moments he's in. But when it comes to the Big B and Rana Daggubati, their characters seem to lack weight. Daggubati, as the central antagonist, falls flat, failing to make a lasting impression.

Among all the performances, it's Manju Warrier who delivers a standout moment. In a scene that echoes the surprise of Agent Tina from Vikram, she kicks the asses of a dozen assassins in her home. It's easily one of, or probably the most, unexpected and thrilling scenes in recent years.

Vettaiyan ultimately proves that the Superstar's charisma remains intact, even at 73. This is a must-watch for Thalaivar fans, and an experience best enjoyed on the big screen.