Film: Sethupathi
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeeshan, Vela Ramamurthy, Dhansushra, Raghavan
Director: Arun Kumar
Rating:
After their successful teaming in Padminiyum Pannaiyaarum, the director-hero venture into their second outing Sethupathi. Tackling a totally different genre, Arun Kumar this time handles an action centric plot. A focused screenplay, deft treatment and some fine performances, makes it an engaging experience. The story revolves round Sethupathi an upright cop, who is ruthless against law breakers.
Pitted against Vadhyaar a gangster who is out to destroy his personal and professional life, Sethupathi has to use brawn and brain to survive. It is another feather in the cap for Vijay Sethupathi, who revealing his versatility yet again handles his role with remarkable understanding. The ‘psycho’ image of the cop reminds one of ‘Dirty Harry’. Heartening is the early scene which showcases in montage shots the more human and positive side of the police force. The narration shifts to a policeman being torched to death. Sethupathi handling the case tries to find the killer and the motive. The whole ambiance of the police station has a natural feel. An element of realism is sustained for the most part. It’s a different look which Vijay Sethupathi sports, a more macho and a rugged one that flatters him. The cop’s investigation leads him to Vadhyaar and the latter’s nexus with the force. Unapologetic, Vadhyaar tries to intimidate and coax Sethupathi to exit the case. Warm and delightful are the moments which depict Sethupathi’s family life with his wife and two kids. The understanding between the couple and the way the cop trains the family to tackle difficult situations has a refreshing feel. The whole mishap of the two school children hauled up by the cops as suspects in a theft case is intelligently crafted. Sethupathi finding himself trapped in an unsavoury situation and hauled up before an enquiry commission, analyses with logical precision what could have gone wrong. With Vadhyaar controlling his life, the cop decides to pay the man back in his own coin. The ending is rather abrupt. Songs are used in the background and well integrated with the story.
Slick editing (Sreekar Prasad) assures that it’s a crisp 121 minutes of viewing, with not many lagging moments.