Movie: Vidudala 2
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: RS Infotainment, Grass Root Film Company
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Manju Warrior, Soori, Kishore, Gautham Menon, Rajiv Menon and others
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
DOP: R Velraj
Editor: R Ramar
Directed by: Vetrimaaran
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Vetrimaaran’s Vidudala received rave reviews and performed well at the box office. Now, the second part has arrived.
Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses.
Story:
Following the arrest of Perumal (Vijay Sethupathi), a naxal leader, a deputy commissioner of police (Gautam Menon) begins an interrogation at a remote camp. However, higher authorities soon discover that the media has caught wind of the arrest.
In response, they discreetly relocate him to another site for further questioning. As the story unfolds, Perumal's journey through the jungle, accompanied by several police officers, becomes the centerpiece of the narrative.
Will the police succeed in presenting Perumal in court? Or will he manage to escape? And what role will the constable from the first part play in Perumal’s fate?
Artistes’ Performances:
Vijay Sethupathi delivers yet another stellar performance, carrying the film with his highly convincing portrayal. Despite the absence of traditional heroic moments in his role, he gives it his absolute best.
Manju Warrier takes on a significant role and delivers a credible performance.
Kishore is highly effective in his portrayal of Mithran, while the rest of the cast performs their roles competently. Soori, however, has limited screen presence in this part.
Technical Excellence:
Ilaiyaraaja has once again delivered a fine background score, showcasing his ability to elevate simple scenes to the next level. He enhances many moments with his score, although the film lacks memorable songs.
The first part featured two outstanding tracks—Virisineule and Pillalu Adiste. While the other technical departments maintain the same high standards, the film is weighed down by its lengthy runtime.
Highlights:
Vijay Sethupathi’s presense
Some episodes
Drawback:
Preachy sequences
Lack of dramatic moments
Pretty plain screenplay
Lengthy runtime
Analysis
Vidudala 2 picks up where the first part left off. The initial installment focused on a police constable’s involvement in the apprehension of a naxal leader, compellingly chronicling the constable’s life and concluding with the leader’s arrest.
The second part begins with the police relocating the captured naxal leader to a more secure location. During this journey, the leader recounts his life story, detailing his rise to leadership, his meeting with his wife, the killing of his guru, and the formation of his insurgent group.
While Part 1 primarily centered on Soori, with a brief cameo by Vijay Sethupathi, this installment shifts the focus entirely to Vijay Sethupathi, who dominates the narrative.
However, Vidudala 2 suffers from predictability. The screenplay lacks excitement and suspense, with events unfolding exactly as expected from start to finish.
Director Vetrimaaran, as in his previous films, attempts to explore the dynamics of the ruling class subjugating the lower class.
Here, the state represents the ruling class, while the naxal leader symbolizes the marginalized. While the film critiques violence on all sides, it is saturated with Tamil political themes.
Vetrimaaran introduces numerous subplots, and his documentary-style approach in many scenes detracts from the thrill and engagement that characterized the first part.
The heavy-handed inclusion of left-wing political ideologies and intellectual discourse fails to elevate the narrative, instead making it feel overly didactic and devoid of a gripping dramatic plot.
Despite these shortcomings, Vetrimaaran showcases his mastery in crafting realistic action sequences and poignant moments in key scenes. The encounter sequences, in particular, are executed with a raw and authentic touch.
Overall, Vidudala 2 continues the story from the first installment but falters due to excessive preachiness, a lack of thrilling moments, and a straightforward screenplay burdened by an unnecessarily long runtime.
Bottom line: Obsolete And Preachy