The mere mention of Vetri Maaran's name invokes high expectations, and Viduthalai Part 1 surpasses them with ease. The film opens with a striking single-shot sequence depicting the aftermath of a train blast, setting the tone for a captivating experience. Viduthalai Part 1 centers around the conflict between the police department and an activist group striving to protect indigenous people and their resources. Soori plays Kumeresan, a police driver stationed in a sensitive hilly region where the conflict is most intense. As he becomes more acquainted with the area, he inadvertently saves the life of an indigenous woman, inviting the wrath of his superiors and exposing him to the brutality of the police unit stationed there. The department launches "Ghost Hunt," an operation to capture Vaathiyaar (Vijay Sethupathi), the leader of the activist group, and impede their progress. While no one knows Vaathiyaar's whereabouts, Kumeresan claims to have certain leads on his location. As Kumeresan falls in love with one of the tribal women (Bhavani Sre), the police force begins exercising their authority over the people to capture Vaathiyaar. Caught in the crossfire, Kumeresan has no choice but to pursue Vaathiyaar to save numerous lives. Vetri Maaran, known for his compelling writing and staging, delivers another engrossing narrative with Viduthalai Part 1. From the opening moments, the film captivates the audience with tension and takes them on a journey of impactful conflicts. Though the events leading up to the conflicts are simple, Vetri Maaran's vision behind projecting them is exceptionally powerful, inducing an adrenaline rush in the audience. The climactic scenes are masterfully executed action sequences that smoothly transition into Part 2. The brief glimpses of Part 2 provide a satisfying ending, leaving viewers eager to uncover the truth and politics behind the conflicts. While there are instances of police brutality, Vetri Maaran's portrayal is neutral, showcasing both sides of the issue. The cast is skillfully chosen, with Soori fitting into his role with ease and Vijay Sethupathi delivering a menacing performance as Vaathiyaar with minimal screen time. Ilaiyaraaja's background score is a standout feature, completely immersing viewers in the film's landscape and brutal events. Some sequences may be hard to watch due to their realistic portrayal of brutality. While there are occasional technical flaws, they are forgivable given the film's scale and the terrain it was shot in. Other actors, including Chethan, Rajiv Menon, and Gautham Menon, contribute well to the film's progression. Bhavani Sre delivers an intense performance in a few scenes, making them particularly memorable. At two and a half hours, Viduthalai Part 1 maintains a consistent pace and keeps viewers engaged with moments of high tension. It stays true to Vetri Maaran's style and artistry, making audiences eager for the sequel.Read more

Vetrimaaran is an award-winning director and everyone knows that when he decides to make a film, they can expect something unique and engaging. With Viduthalai, the director has split it into parts and Viduthalai Part 1 was released on March 31. This movie has been adapted from the short story titled Thunaivan written by B Jeyamohan, and both Jeyamohan and Vetrimaaran worked on the screenplay together. Kumaresan (Soori) is a police constable and he is sent to a police camp based in a village near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. A police camp, headed by Ragavendar (Chethan), has been established there in order to catch the key leaders of a terrorist outfit called Makkal Padai (People's Army) headed by someone named Vaathiar aka Perumal (Vijay Sethupathi). Makkal Padai had been fighting brutal brutality for many years and their latest act was to detonate bombs on a train bridge which killed 25 and injured many. Now, politicians have inked a deal with foreign companies for mining in the forest area and the Makkal Padai has taken this up as their latest cause. Since Ragavendar doesn't succeed, in comes senior cop Sunil Menon (Gautham Vasudev Menon) as the head of Operation Ghosthunter. Kumaresan recounts the story of what happened in letters to his mother and that's how we learn of what transpires. He joins the E company as a jeep driver and his duty is to deliver food to all the police who are based in the checkposts in the forest. When he helps a village woman to a hospital, Kumaresan is severely punished by Raghavendar and he learns there is a nexus between the villagers and the Makkal Padai. He refuses to apologise to Ragavendar and that's how we learn how strong he is when it comes to his principles and beliefs.It is at this time he also meets Paapa (Bhavani Sre) and an unexpected romance ensues. Do the police catch Perumal and his men? How does constable Kuamresan fit into this whole police hunt for Vaathiar? Who is Papa? At the outset, one may think this movie is a police drama like Vetrimaaran's earlier film Visaranai and it is not. It is a completely different story in a different setting. Like Visaranai, Viduthalai also shows police brutality and cops being 'bad' but for very different reasons. The way the director has narrated the story, it seems to be simple - good men versus bad men, but there are so many layers that unfold as the film progresses - politicians and corporate relationships, how politicians shape social narratives, cops and their brutal behavior, caste politics, a seemingly untenable romance. The beauty of the film lies in these layers and there are some scenes that flow so naturally that you realize its importance, like the actor on screen, much later. Vetrimaaran's ability to weave a gripping narrative is well-known, but his choice of Soori as the lead would have surprised many. The main highlight of this film is Soori, as he has delivered a stellar performance as Kumaresan. It is his face that is clearly etched in your mind long after you leave the theatre. How Kumaresan and thereby Soori mature through the film is a compelling watch and you applaud the character as well as the actor. Sorri carries this film on his shoulders not just with his acting but his voiceovers as well. Bhavani Sre must also be appreciated for her good work as Paapa and Chethan as well. Ilaiyaraaja's background music was apt for the film, but his songs could have been better. Velraj's cinematography was a great asset to Viduthalai. Viduthalai (Freedom) is a film that is a must-watch because it offers a new cinematic perspective of Vetrimaaran and especially because Soori is outstanding.Read more