Viduthalai Part 2 story:

Following the apprehension of Perumal Vaathiyar (Vijay Sethupathi) by the police, the narrative delves into his background, illustrating his transformation from a teacher to an individual influenced by communist ideologies. This evolution leads him to spearhead a people's movement, positioning him as a revolutionary and an outlaw. After marrying his comrade Mahalakshmi (Manju Warrier), Vaathiyar remains steadfast in his beliefs, advocating for various causes until his premature capture by Kumaresan’s battalion, whose officers harbour their ulterior motives.

Viduthalai Part 2 review

Vetrimaaran subtly hints at the developments concerning Vijay Sethupathi's character, Vaathiyaar, in Viduthalai 2 through the introduction of an unseen character. This may explain the series of politically charged shorts that precede the film's climax. The unseen elements foster a belief in their existence, raising the question of why one would emerge if another already exists, which forms the essence of the Viduthalai sequel.

While the first instalment of Viduthalai presented a singular perspective, focusing on a rookie cop grappling with the dichotomy of ethics versus legality, the sequel offers a deeper exploration of the implications of each path and the evolution of its characters. In Vetrimaaran’s Viduthalai Part 2, commencing with Perumal’s arrest, the narrative unfolds a series of incidents that highlight the exploitation and oppression faced by marginalized communities. As the film transitions from depicting the landlord-labourer power dynamics, infused with an intersectional feminist lens that emphasizes the vulnerabilities of women from oppressed castes, it gradually reveals how the people's movement took shape in Perumal’s life.

A pivotal moment occurs when Karuppan (Ken Karunas), while attacking a landlord who has wronged his community, asserts that he is not merely Nallaan (the fourth born) but Karuppan. He emphasizes that his identity is defined by his self-perception rather than societal labels. Vetrimaaran’s film is replete with politically charged one-liners that candidly address pressing issues. In another notable instance, Vaathiyar remarks that while people may lack political knowledge, they will rise in revolt when their rights are infringed upon. The sequel centres on the ascent of Vaathiyar, detailing his transformation and how his eventual capture exposes the hidden truths of those in power. Vijay Sethupathi delivers a compelling performance that makes the sequel feel like a standalone narrative focused on Vaathiyar and individuals of his ilk.

Viduthalai employs a non-linear narrative to explore the life of Vaathiyaar, who transitions from a humble teacher to a witness of the harsh realities of oppression, as seen through the experiences of Karuppan and his fiancée. Upon encountering his first instance of brutality, he chooses to embrace the path of a comrade. The film effectively illustrates how the Red Salute becomes integral to his existence, particularly as he develops feelings for comrade Mahalakshmi. During their interactions, she articulates her belief that her long hair could symbolize weakness and shares insights about her previous marriage, which Vaathiyaar does not regard as taboo. Such moments enrich their love story with depth and empathy. Additionally, Vetrimaaran’s film addresses a multitude of pressing issues, ranging from the exploitation of landlords over labourers to the inequities present in factory wage systems, as well as the ongoing privatization of public roads. Viduthalai Part 2 weaves these various themes into a cohesive narrative.

In Viduthalai Part 2, Soori reprises his role as Kumaresan, albeit with limited screen time. However, he effectively utilizes his presence during the climax scenes. As he is entrusted with the pivotal moments in the final shots, Soori delivers a commendable performance. When considering both instalments of Viduthalai as a singular narrative, Vetrimaaran’s duology appears somewhat disjointed. While the complete account of the train accident from the first film is revealed, along with the motivations behind Kumaresan's actions, the overall coherence of the duology is lacking. Nonetheless, Viduthalai Part 2 remains focused on its message and continues to be a compelling narrative emerging from Vetrimaaran’s perspective. The filmmaker poignantly asserts, “When you make people believe that Vaathiyar will come back, that is when new leaders will not be formed.” This highlights the influence of belief on the populace and raises the question of who possesses the authority to shape such beliefs.

Viduthalai Part 2 verdict

Vijay Sethupathi masterfully embodies a character tasked with conveying a narrative of oppression across various dimensions and over many years. In a film directed by Vetrimaaran, where political ideologies are not merely implied but explicitly articulated, Viduthalai 2 may appear fragmented in certain sections; however, it still presents a significant story. Ultimately, it evolves into a character-centric narrative, even as its underlying theme remains rooted in ideology.

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