Beyond the Law
The latest movie by Vetrimaaran, titled Viduthalai (meaning liberation), delves into the complex dynamic between police officers and an extremist group in a state. The group is fighting for the betterment of their community and their demands to be fulfilled, while the police officers try to maintain law and order. The film aims to explore the delicate balance between these two conflicting forces.
Struggle for Justice
Vetrimaaran is a renowned filmmaker known for his ability to effectively convey socio-political messages through his movies. His films blend commercial entertainment with thought-provoking themes that were once considered taboo. Vetrimaaran’s movies are also highly regarded for their technical finesse. His previous movie, Asuran, featuring Dhanush and Manju Warrier, was a tremendous success. In his latest offering, Viduthalai, meaning liberation, Vetrimaaran explores the intricate relationship between police officers and an extremist group in the state. The group fights for the betterment of their community and their demands to be fulfilled, while the police attempt to maintain law and order. The film endeavors to portray the delicate balance between these opposing forces.
The Cost of Conflict Between Government and People
The movie opens with a 12-minute long uninterrupted shot that depicts the aftermath of a train accident. As the camera gradually zooms in on the scene, the devastating consequences of the tragedy become apparent, with numerous casualties, injuries, and destruction. The emergency services and hospitals are overwhelmed by the situation, and local and union ministers are shocked by the scale of the disaster. Subsequently, it is revealed that the extremist group Makkal Padai intentionally caused the accident as a means of protesting against the state government’s decision to allow a mining company to take over their village for a project. Makkal Padai is against the mining project, believing that the land should only benefit the people, not a private corporation.
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Unveiling the Truth Behind a Catastrophic Train Accident
It is crucial that Makkal Padai acknowledges their responsibility for blowing up the bridge, resulting in a catastrophic train accident, by informing the government. During a press conference, the Chief Secretary and the Minister of PWD disclose that Perumal, an unseen mastermind, orchestrated the act of terrorism, and there are no photographs of him available in police records. The government initiates “Operation Ghost Hunt” to capture Perumal, known for his ability to evade authorities and for orchestrating violent attacks on civilians and government officials.
The government is resolute in capturing the leader of the separatist movement operating under his name. They are prepared to take any necessary measures to detain him, allowing the mining company to have faith in them to begin work on the project. This project is expected to have a profound impact, resulting in the establishment of fundamental infrastructure, employment opportunities, schools, and hospitals for the locals. The government has taken rigorous action against Makkal Padai after the train accident.
A Police Recruit’s Journey in the ‘Ghost Hunt’ Mission
The film centers around Kumaresan, a new police recruit en route to join the “Ghost Hunt” mission in a mountainous border town. The entire story is narrated from Kumaresan’s point of view as he recounts his experiences to his mother. While on a bus, the police stop it for a routine inspection and discover Kumaresan’s identity as a police recruit. During the check, Kumaresan witnesses the police killing a person who was found carrying bombs and attempted to flee. It remains unclear whether the police received a tip about the explosives or if it was part of a random inspection.
Struggle with Caste and Politics in the Police Force
Kumaresan is taken to a training location for police officers to combat an extremist group and is hired as their new driver. They are stationed on a hill, where Kumaresan learns about the struggles of police officers who earn meager salaries at the ground level. For someone like Kumaresan, who belongs to a lower middle-class family, a job as a police constable can help him make ends meet. However, Kumaresan realizes that the caste and class politics he faces in this new environment are unlike anything he has experienced before. The coalitions and conflicts between “Makkal Padai” and the government are complex and intense. Kumaresan is uncertain if his helpful nature and adherence to the rule book, which mandates that police serve people in need, will be enough in the long run.
The Conflict Between Duty and Compassion
Kumaresan recognizes that his superiors prioritise following orders over helping the locals, which goes against his inclination to assist people in need. As a newly recruited officer, he understands the importance of bureaucracy in navigating professional life. Kumaresan also develops a romantic interest in the granddaughter of the woman he saved and they spend time together. However, he struggles to accept that many locals sympathise with Perumal and cannot trust their belief system. Despite police efforts to discredit him, Perumal is revered as a godlike figure, similar to Pablo Escobar, for helping people when nobody else would. The locals support Perumal because he stood up for them in their time of need.
What is the explanation for the ending of Viduthalai ?
Despite numerous attempts, the police force has failed to capture Perumal due to the strong support of Makkal Padai within the local system. The villagers have resisted the police’s brutal tactics, and only Kumaresan has shown kindness to them, viewing it as his duty to serve the people. To gain control over Makkal Padai, the Chief Secretary appoints Sunil Menon as the new head of Operation Ghost. Sunil recognizes the importance of building trust with the locals and advocates for a more diplomatic approach to gather information about Perumal. Despite his reputation for ruthless tactics, Sunil knows when to show restraint and aims to create a sense of inclusion among the locals to gain their assistance in capturing Perumal.
Was Perumal finally arrested by Kumaresan ?
The police come up with a plan to apprehend the families of the key leaders of Makkal Padai in hopes of luring out their sympathizers to bail them out. However, the plan backfires as the police end up arresting the entire town, including women, which includes Tamilarasi, Kumaresan’s love interest. Tamilarasi also discloses that her uncle is a full-time supporter of Makkal Padai. This leaves Kumaresan unsure of what to do next.
A Story of Integrity and Justice
In the movie’s climax, all the villagers, including Kumaresan’s love interest Tamilarasi, are taken in for interrogation, leaving Kumaresan desperate to free her by revealing Perumal’s hideout. Despite defying orders, he seeks Sunil Menon’s assistance and they succeed in capturing Perumal, facing several challenges along the way. Although it is revealed that Tamilarasi was brutally raped during the interrogation, her fate is unknown. The film ends with Kumaresan expressing hope for a better future after capturing Perumal, despite the likelihood of being disliked by his colleagues and superiors for his integrity. It is unclear whether Kumaresan will be able to survive in the corrupt and bureaucratic world of the police force.
