Vetrivel (Tamil, 2016)

Debutant Vasanthamani’s ability to stick to the story and not deviate much from the main theme has to be applauded. When directors try to waste much time on romantic sequences, he wastes no time in walking the audience through the romantic scenes and gets on to the main theme. He also succeeds in bringing out some public messages like caste-based discernment and respect towards women. The screenplay laced with numerous characters with well-rounded arcs and pretty interesting treatment to standard situations is one to savor.

Sasikumar sizzles as his usual self in a son-of-the-soil role. He gets an intro song that bestows Rajini-like dictums, performs in romantic scenes that an average man can relate to, convinces in action sequences that gel well with the script and exhibits a natural sense of emotion. But what stands out is his ability to tone down his macho-image a little to portray a soft spoken and rising-to-the-occasion sort-of man. His candor and industriousness keeps the momentum going.

Prabhu and Viji Chandrasekhar have meaty roles and excel. Miya George as the Malayali agriculture expert holds the first half together and her track with Sasikumar is extremely well-written and acted. Nikila in an all-out honeyed appearance captures attention in spite of limited dialogues. Ilavarasu and Renuka as Sasikumar’s parents, Ananth Nag as the faithful brother along with Thambi Ramaiah provide able support to the script.

Kathir’s lens captures the rural exquisiteness of Tanjore and Imman’s background score merits a worthy mention. The costumes are also very well done taking into account the rural setting.

The long drawn out climax also tests your patience and as a result the film ends up punching less than its weight. Even though Sasikumar does all that is offered to him with utmost dedication, it would be better if he can move away from the template dance choreography which proves to be a detriment.

The film has a really strong hangover of Sasikumar’s Sundarapandian which leads to the audience being able to easily predict the next course of action from the protagonist. It is perhaps time for Sasikumar to get a makeover.