Vetrivel movie review: Surprising twists are the only saving grace
Director: Vasantha Mani
Cast: Sasikumar, Prabhu, Miya George
Director Sasikumar is back as an actor with his bearded looks adhering to his template of a simple guy from a rural backdrop, conveys messages, respect women and a do-gooder to the society with Vasantha Mani’s Vetrivel.
The story begins in late 80s with the feud between bigwigs Rajamanickam (Prabhu) and his stepsister (Viji Chandrashekar) and the latter who loses her husband in the process eventually vows to take revenge on the former.
Cut to present, we come across another family in the adjacent village - Vetrivel (Sasikumar) is a happy go lucky guy and his dad (Ilavarasu) a principled scholl teacher and mom (Renuka) and educated younger brother Saravanan (Anant Nag). When Vetri meets Janani (Miya George) an agriculture research scholar, it was love at first sight for him. Saravanan falls for Subha (Varsha) his classmate and she is none other than Rajamanickam’s daughter. The two belong to different castes and Rajamanickam explains Saravanan’s dad in a polite manner that he disapproves of the marriage.
Now, Vetri steps in to help his brother and he seeks the help of his friends (Nadodigal gang including Samudrakani in a cameo) to kidnap the Subha from the festival. When kidnap plan goes awry and a wrong girl (Nikila) is abducted, life turns topsy-turvy for Vetri. How comes out of the mess sacrificing his love forms the rest.
Sasikumar does his job well. He delivers what is demanded of his recurring character. All the three girls Miya, Varsha and Nikila are adequate.
Prabhu and Viji have given an admirable performance. Others like Ilavarasu, Renuka and Thambi Ramaiah lend their support. Though the story moves in a predictable manner, the saving grace are its surprising twists- in a good way. Technically, Kathir’s camera captures rural beauty of Tanjore and Imman’s background score warrants mention. The length, which mars the pace, needs urgent trimming. The movie can be enjoyed only in parts.
