‘Vettaikaran’ just another ‘no-risk’ masala movie (Tamil Film Review)
December 19th, 2009 - 7:02 pm ICT by IANS ( 54 comments )By Aravindan D.I.
Film: “Vettaikaran”; Director: Babu Sivan; Cast: Vijay, Anushka Shetty, Salim Ghouse, Srihari, Srinath; Music: Vijay Anthony; Rating: **
Vijay, touted to be the next Tamil superstar, continues to ride on worn-out masala films without any attempt at novelty.
“Vettaikaran”, directed by debutant Babu Sivan, is Vijay’s 49th film and the actor seems to be satisfied with the no-risk commercial formula to maintain his position in the industry. The movie, however, fails to live up to expectations even as a commercial flick, as it seems like a collage of many previous films made in the same genre by directors like Dharani, Hari and Perarasu.
We have seen in umpteen movies, a youth coming to the city to study or find a livelihood but getting caught in the web of all-powerful villains and their hit men. And of course, the powerful villain would remain the most dreaded guy only until he meets the hero, who goes on to single-handedly wipe out his entire regime.
“Vettaikaran” follows the same path of movies like “Pokkiri”, “Bhagavathy”, “Thiruppachi” and “Thenavattu” among many others.
The storyline goes like this: Ravi Alias Police Ravi (Vijay), a Tuticorin guy comes to Chennai to become a police officer like his idol Devaran IPS (Sri Hari). He meets Susheela (Anushka Shetty) at the railway station and instantly falls for her.
While love blossoms in Chennai, Ravi locks horns with Chella, the son of local don Vedhanayagam (Salim Ghosh). Ravi tames Chella and earns the rivalry of Vedhanayagan.
In the meantime, Ravi is shocked to know that his idol Devraj IPS has lost his career, eyesight and his family because of Vedhanayagam. While Vedhanayagan makes life worse for Ravi by using his hold over the police.
Ravi escapes the trap and becomes a powerful gang leader to counter Vedhanayagam. Ravi, with moral support from Devaraj, puts an end to Vedhanayagam and his gang with his intelligence and muscle power.
While the first half moves on quickly, the second half tends to drag. The cliched scenes don’t help either. The movie has grossly failed to entertain, as it is nothing but a ‘copy-paste’ exercise by Babu Sivan.
Vijay looks charming and emotes well but he has nothing new to offer, as he is playing such a role for umpteenth time. It is also frustrating to see Vijay, who has acted in so many films, trying to copy the style of Rajnikant.
Gorgeous Anushka spices up the proceedings with her stunning beauty and screen presence. However, like many other Vijay flicks, the heroine doesn’t get any scope to perform. Other actor like Sri Hari and Salim Ghosh pass muster.
Gopinath does a neat work with his camera but music director Vijay Antony fails to impress. However, two of the songs - “Naan Atichcha” and “Karikalan Kaalu” - sound good.
- Movie Review: Vettaikaran - Dec 19, 2009
- Music Review: Vettaikaran - Sep 25, 2009
- 'Magadheera' villain in Vijay's 'Sura' - Oct 22, 2009
- Is it re-shooting for Vettaikaran? - Nov 02, 2009
- Mahesh Kaleja First Half Editing Completed - Aug 19, 2010
- 'Vettaikaran' director on cloud nine - Dec 16, 2009
- Sun Pictures airs 'Vettaikaran' promos - Dec 04, 2009
- Anushka sings praises of Vijay - Oct 28, 2009
- Post divorce, Sonia happy to be back on big screen (Tamil Movie Snippets) - Nov 30, 2011
- 'Aadu Puli' - run-of-the-mill masala movie (Tamil Movie Review) - Feb 20, 2011
- 'Swayam Krushi' suffers due to Veerendra Babu's performance (Kannada Movie Review) - Sep 04, 2011
- 'Vettaikaran' to hit screens on Dec 18 - Nov 06, 2009
- Ravi Teja Starrer Veera Likely To Launch On Aug 27 - Aug 14, 2010
- 'Vettaikaran' shooting to complete on September 15 - Sep 12, 2009
- Velayutham - Vijay's Longest Project - Aug 13, 2010
Tags: anushka shetty, blossoms, devaraj, eyesight, gang leader, ghosh, ghouse, hit men, livelihood, moral support, previous films, railway station, salim, srihari, srinath, tamil film, thiruppachi, umpteen, villain, villains
December 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
dey badu otha comment sunni mari kodukada………
100% a superb film with mass…….
it can be given 4 star rating
orutha eludinada pathu nee eluthata nee copy adikada padam summa pataiya kelapudu
even a small child says it is a good film
vettaikaran is rocking in theatres
i am not a vijay fan but it is most better than recent other big stars films
i support for vijay from no
this is nice film and he is a best actor…
vettaikaran best of best
December 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
hari……Auuuv
December 19th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Review is unbiased! hats off.hari auuv…(aluva kudaathu)
December 19th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I have just seen the movie.it’s far more better than kanthasaami and aadhavan.It’s the comeback of vijay
December 19th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Mr. hari - learn to proceed speaking in a professional matter please - typing abusive language in another language using english characters should be looked upon by the moderators. And the film is a good film, but as mentioned not anything new or unexpected happens - the same old game!
December 20th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Mr.hari… First learn how to post a comment in a public site.. this is what Vijay(especially) kind of actors is teaching to the youngsters..Aravindhan comment is 100% true.. we are also from TN.. we too know bad words Mr. Hari..
December 20th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Everybody have the right to express thier thoughts..one should not annoyed with the words… and should not counter comment with the vulgar words… Think..and Write..that will boost ur reputation always….
December 20th, 2009 at 4:04 am
The Above comments for Hari
December 20th, 2009 at 7:46 am
hey just be quite man.
“VETTAIKARAN” hits.
if anyone says no then the words come out of my mouth is the same which hari said you guys want it………..
take some of them…………..
sunni,badu,porambokku,pudingi,………………………………….
December 20th, 2009 at 7:48 am
hey just be quite man.
“VETTAIKARAN” hits.
if anyone says no then the words that come out of my mouth is the same which hari said you guys want it…………………..
take some of them …………..
sunni,badu,porambokku,pudingi,…………………………….
December 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Hari - a Typical vijay fan
December 20th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Hi,
Movie is not good, same kind of story, dance and flight.
December 20th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
padathil pudhusa onnumillai aana padam racya entratainga nalla irukku
3hrs running time.aanalum padam perisa engaeyum bore adikkala.
dharani assistantukku fast paced screenplay eppdi panrathunnu therinjirukku.if u like pokkiri thirupachi kind of movie u will like this too
December 21st, 2009 at 7:15 am
super machi..samma comment…who ever says vijay is bad is a kudhi pundai..badu ..sunni..lets prove that our thalapathi rocks..namma vijay b grade, low class odu thalaivar..what do they expect ..englipish? u ll get only low class poriki language from us..
December 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
Wei, the movie is nice, all the songs are hit. Arvind, try not to give bad comment if you dont like vijay. The movie is not worse as you had specified. everyone knows all the songs are hit and vijay anthony done a great job in this songs. Even we other country citizen value that but i just wonder why you Indian citizens over condeming you own country production???
December 21st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
second half mokka…..anu super pudhusa onnumilla
December 21st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
It is a good movie after three of his last movie. it goes like a train.not boring anywhere but nothing new in this film but its a family entertaining film it will be a renewal of his(vijay) path
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
hi guys please read thatstamil comment and people review. one odf the mokka mokaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa movie…. dont watch it you will lose your money.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
those who says that “you will lose money” is a sunni,badu,sappi,kudi,badu,pudingi, lavada,…………………………
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 am
Harish kanna take rest ma. go get some sleep(dont waste ur energy in
telling nicks of vijay-sunni,badu,sappi,kudi,badu,pudingi, lavada,..)
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
“VETTAIKARAN” is better than Dany boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. VETTAIKARAN will win 12 oscars surely!!!
Iam sure about that.
“if u like pokkiri thirupachi”
Yeah,those two world-class films has rised the bar of kollywood cinema.
People(group dancers) who dance behind Vijay may dance better than him, but can they speak punch dialogues like Illaya Thalapathy!They cant!
Vijay sir Rockzzzzz!
No arguments(LolZ)
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
……they should have named it ‘Vadai’karan…..hahahahaha
December 27th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
no body can give continous hits like vijay after m.g.r vettaikaran is among one of them
feature of this film is exceptional 6 songs,variety of face expression of vijay,
December 28th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
dai who is that aravindan??????? stupid review….. vettaikaaran is a massive hit………. plz dont again try to put mokkai in te name of review…….
December 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
hey.. vettaikaran is a mega hit movie… Its fully family entertainment movie.. 100% a superb film with mass.. here after dont give rumours comment..
December 31st, 2009 at 3:41 am
flop
December 31st, 2009 at 3:41 am
never make any movie with vijay nobody like him only he like him self
December 31st, 2009 at 3:42 am
never make any movie with vijay
December 31st, 2009 at 5:31 am
In tamil now a days we are not able to get a good names for new movies… Name is old style with new STAR
December 31st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
hey patti vadai get a vadai in shop dont write a comment like this
December 31st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
aravindan matna sangu aruthuruvaen
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:36 am
hahaha! mega flop movie of the year..
January 3rd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Calling all Chrsitans to watch Vettaikaran many times so that it will be hit. We, Chrsitians must make sure that our fellow Christian Joseph Vijaya becomes the fisrt Christian Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. Let us make Tamilnadu 100% Christian state.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:41 am
vijay can quit acting and become the father of christians like pope b’coz he is unfit for acting…
January 4th, 2010 at 7:48 am
dey sankar dont talk about vijay
then you will be in trouble man
January 5th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Hi Guys,
People are saying vettaikkaran is flop but it collected 10 crores in 10 days. If this movie is flop, i cant able to stop laughing. Vijay rocks. Yesterday too saw the movie and it was a housefull in udhayam. So till now hunter going strong with the help of vijay. Once again vijay prooved that he is the king of kollywood. Guys, please understand that fans wont let him down in any situations.
January 9th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
As sudhakar says, in 10 days 10 crores loss for the theatre owners…. His consecutive 4th victory….. All the best Dr.Vijay….
January 9th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
dey thiru badu thiru vaaia moodu
January 10th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
its awesome to comment on the movie.. As per the result of VETTAIKARAN - by threatres it is such a box office movie which collected about 3.10 crore on the first week all shows and all threatres in chennai alone… which beats past 3 films of actor VIJAY.. by song wise V.Anthony has done a good job…
THALAPATHY always rocks…
waiting for Sura..
all d best vijay anna.. v are always here for u
January 10th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
one more thing for those who said its a flop… a flop movie cant earn 3.10 crore in three days that too chennai alone…
v r vijay fans never leave our thalapathy’s movie as flop..
VIJAY fan engalukulaam flop na vijay padam 1nu jus 100days ooduna mathum dan flop.. for other heros it was a success movie… ok..!!!
vijay the king of kings….!!!!
vaazhga illayathalapathy…
January 10th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
everyone likes vijay.. except a few. he s d only actor who s having fans in all age groups after superstar
January 12th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Vettaikaran is an absolute flop.. who says it’s drawing crowd in Chennai??? Half the theaters are running empty for Vettaikaran…
Facts
1. In England, it’s made a huge loss, it’s one of the worse movies to be released in England
2. American region (US, Canada)
The movie hasn’t done well, taken off theaters in just a few weeks.
3. Singapore & Malaysia
- Yishun is the only place showing Vettaikaran in Singapore, and that also has no crowd to watch it that they are giving free tickets when u book tickets for other movies (they call it movie marathon)
Malaysia, the movie is a flop even with the C Class laborers in Malaysia
Where has Vettaikaran made headlines and has become a hit? In fact I remember all you Vijay fans saying Villu was a mega hit, then they said Kuruvi was a mega hit when it was released.. i remember reading similar comments when all his previous movies were released.. and after a few months, everyone knew the truth.. its the same for this movie.. It’s a flop.. some of us know it, some of u’ll knw it and don’t want to admit it.. that’s all.
From the way Vijay is picking stories, Sura will also be another Masala movie and will become yet another Non-stop nonsense!!!
January 18th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Did u people went to see vettaikkaran on 15th in theatres. No one will say that it is a flop movie if they go and watch in theatres. I went to mini udhayam theatre to watch the movie and believe me it is an housefull 2 30 show. Of course it is because of kanum pongal but what about the next day after kanum pongal. Only night shift show is available next day after kanum pongal. U bloody anti vijay fans dont say it is a flop movie once again. It earns nearly 4.5 crores in chennai alone then how u bloody idiot people saying it is a flop movie? All are saying that Ayan is a blockbuster movie. Of course it is a good movie and it earns 7 crores in chennai. Vettaikkaran earns 4 crores and still running and how u people saying it is a flop movie? I will kick u people if again repeating the same bull shit things.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Rangan… and to the rest of u Vijay fans out there….
Like how I’ve been saying in most of my comments of Vettaikaran, the movie is a flop.. (Not as bad as Villu or Kuruvi, but yet, it is a flop).
Lemme prove my point, check the link below to see the earnings (collection) of vettaikaran in UK
http://indiablogs.searchindia.com/2009/12/21/vettaikkaran-turns-pichaikaran-at-box-office/
If you think the review done on this page isn’t credible enough, then I suggest you read up reviews from other sites..
http://www.24dunia.com/english-news/shownews/0/Vettaikaran-worth-watching/4688889.html
http://telugu.galatta.com/entertainment/telugu/livewire/id/Anushka_sleeps_before_a_decision_34282.html
All these sites say that vettaikaran is a flop… Besides, what other Tamil movies are out there competing with Vettaikaran?? nothing.. there’s no other commercial movie released during Vettiakaran, and yet.. even without a good competition, Vettaikaran isn’t doing too great in the box office.. what does that say?
Very Soon Vettiakaran will be shown on Sun TV.. I wouldn’t be surprised if I get to hear on Sun TV “Ulahath Thamil Tholiakaatchihalil Muthal Muraiyaha.. Thiraikku vanthu Sila maasangale Aana Mega Hit Thiraipadam Vettaikaran.. Indru iravu onpathu Manikku.. Kaana Thavaraatheerhal” :-P
Vettaikaran is not a commercial hit, and I think it’s high time u’ll accept this, and tell Vijay to start acting in good movies without coming up with good for nothing masala bullshit.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Mr. MovieCritic, go and check the bo collection sify report. Sify is the best site which their reports are always reliable and hope u too know. According to that, vettaikkaran collected 4.3 crores and still going on. Will u people decide the movie status with UK alone? Go and check the BO report and they declared this movie as Hit as per the collection earned. (4.3 crores) in 4 weeks. Ayan is a block buster movie and it collected 7 crores in chennai alone. Now vettaikkaran collected 4 crores in 4 weeks and still its going strong despite more movies on pongal. I seen this movie in mini udhayam on 16th and movie is housefull and movie is housefull on 17th 2 30 show and 6 30 show and tickets available only for night show of 17th. Fact is, this time vijay fans saved this movie (Obviously he is having more fans than any other) excluding rajini and kamal. He looks so fresh and good in this movie unlike villu, kuruvi and ATM and so fans liked this. Dont say here after that this movie is a flop even after collected 4 crores in 4 weeks. Dont make me laugh…….
January 21st, 2010 at 9:19 am
Dude(Rangan),
If prashanth had acted in this movie, and it had made 4.3 crores, then I’ll admit that it’s a hit… it’s Vijay’s movie, and like what u say.. if he’s got the biggest fan base next to Rajni, then 4.3 crores is peanuts.. don’t u think? especially with a non stop marketing being done by Sun TV.
Take a look back at the last 10 movies of Vijays..
Vettaikaran
Villu
Kuruvu
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
Pokkiri
Aadhi
Sivakasi
Sukran
Sachien
Thirupaachi
Madhurey
These are movies he acted in from 2004 till 2009.. how many of these were hits? except for Pokkiri the rest of the movies were utter flops or just average stuff.. now we have vettaikaran.. Do u think it’s equal to Pokkiri? It’s obviously not.. so it’s less than a hit by Vijay’s own standards ya?
Basically my point is that for the kind of expectation this movie created after so many flops, I feel this movie hasn’t really done a lot.. it’s just another average Masala movie. It’s a movie done taking scenes from other movies using the same old Masala story with a very bad action scenes and camera work,
Even the CGI is very very ordinary, the back ground music is too loud and so old fashioned.. … what’s so great about the movie??? Except for the humor in the first half of the movie.. there’s nothing interesting, I was able to predict the next scene in the movie.. it was that ordinary.. Vijay’s dancing is horrible in this movie (Except for Chinna thaamarai where he’s done pretty good).
Vettaikaran is definitely a lot better than his last 3 movies for sure.. that I’m not denying.. but.. having said that.. Vettaikaran is far from being a good movie..
Like what u have said.. this time.. Vijay’s fans have made the movie make 4.3 crores.. it’s cos people like u wanted to make this movie a hit.. and so u’ll are going to the cinema halls to watch it so many times to make it a hit.. but what u people are doing is raping the Tamil Movie Industry.. u r poking u’r own eyes.. cos what will happen is that the tamil movie industry will never improve.. Even if this movie makes another 4 crores in Chennai that would be all to do with Sun TV’s continuous propaganda and thanks to “Vijay Fans” only.. and a movie that survives by these to elements alone cannot be judged as a good movie.
Take a look around in other parts of the world and u’ll realize that Vettaikaran is a flop. I am currently in Singapore on business trip, I went to watch Aayirathil oruvan (which I think isn’t a great movie either), but that was house full and I had to fight for my tickets and apparently Vettaikaran over here in Singapore hasn’t done well.. The Indian community here is laughing their ass off at Vijay and Vettaikaran.
Vettaikaran is a kind of a movie that was made keeping the “C” class uneducated platform type of people mostly Vijay fans in mind, and of course it’s not too hard to impress them anyway.
So.. my verdict is that this movie is NOT worth watching it and is not a hit.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Mr. MovieCritic, from ur list u said only pokiri is a hit movie. Just touch ur heart and say is sivakasi and tirupachi is a flop movie? In chennai alone it collected 4 crores in just 4 crores. All are saying that ayan is a block buster movie and you know how much it collected? Accoring to all reliable sources like sify, Tamil movie sites it collected 7 crores. Vettaikkaran collected 4 crores in 4 weeks and still after pongal release movies its going fine. I went to mini udhayam theatre on 17th and it was housefull. So countdown is not over and still going on. If ayan is a blockbuster with 7 crores, then vettaikkaran is a superhit movie with 4 crores in just 4 weeks and that too in chennai alone. If rajini is raping the tamil industry then u can consider vijay in this list. Cigarete smoking is injurious to health i think u know. But 70 percent of people are doing that with some style. I hope u can understand what i am trying to say. only point is movie should not harm society and it should be a entertainer. Always Style dominates the performance. MGR Sivaji, Rajini Kamal, now Vijay and lot of performers are there ofcourse unlike the past and they are secondary heroes. Just think why vijay is having this much of mass even though acting like this kind of crap (as per ur terminology) movies. That is because most of the people like to see this kind of movies and not like vaaranam aayiram kind of movies.
January 26th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
VETTAIKAARAN IS NOT HIT ?
YA !
WHY ?
BECAUSE ITS MEGA HIT
VIJAY NA VICTORY DA
January 26th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
COMPARE TO POKIRI.VETTAIKAARAN IS BETTER AND SUPER……
SUPER STAR VIJAY ROCKS
January 31st, 2010 at 10:10 am
Well said Sundramoorthy, let us make our christian superstar Joseph Vijay as the first Christian Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. Let us make Tamilnadu 100% Christian state as James Raja quoted before. Vettaikaran is great.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:59 am
Vijay’s performance is good. But repeating the similar stories and style may not workout for long. MGR Shivaji era was different, and we knew about Rajni and Kamal.. May be earning and making profit to producers is the key in current situation. I guess Chandrasekar thinks otherwise and I wish him and Vijay good luck. And, I warn you.. be cautious, you have no opponents now.. And don’t end up like Vikram (being a good actor with no opponents led people think that he is a great actor… that’s all) I don’t think Chandrasekar expects only that thing. He raised Vijay in a way to popularise him and he succeeded a whole lot, but continuing in this way would not improve Vijay’s image. That’s what my humble opinion is… Thanks, RajKumar
February 9th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I am really frustrated by seeeing the film.No body can imagine this much third rated story.But some of you guys are giving good comments.have you guys not seen anbe sivam,Guru etc,Vijay an idiot repeating the same (F”kn comments).I will kill him i find near our area.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
sundaramurthy kongu i will kill u idiot.dont you know the meaning of mega hit.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
What prakash saying is correct. We should not compare vettaikkaran with pokiri. Pokiri is a blockbuster movie but vettaikkaran is a hit movie.