Movie Name : Vidudala Part 2
Release Date : December 20, 2024
Cast : Vijay Sethupathi, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Bhavani Sre, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel, Manju Warrier, Kishore, Anurag Kashyap, Bose Venkat, Surya Sethupathy etc.
Director : Vetrimaaran
Music Director : Ilayaraja
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.25/5
Story:
In Viduthalai Part 1, Kumaresh (Soori) impressed as a fearless and duty-bound police officer, while Perumal (Vijay Sethupathi) left audiences intrigued with hints of a powerful uprising, paving the way for Viduthalai Part 2.
The sequel opens with Perumal, the leader of the Prajadal movement, in police custody under intense interrogation. The police craft a secretive plan to transfer him through a forest route to a concealed location, intending to stage an encounter. Meanwhile, the Prajadal members launch a daring mission to free their leader from the authorities’ clutches.
The story delves into Perumal’s evolution from a modest school teacher to the leader of a revolutionary movement, highlighting KK’s (Kishore) pivotal role in shaping his path. It also explores the entry of Mahalakshmi (Manju Warrier) into Perumal’s life and her influence on his journey. The narrative builds toward the ultimate fate of Kumaresh (Soori), who played a critical role in capturing Perumal.
Review:
Vijay Sethupathi is brilliant as Perumal, playing a transformation from a simple school teacher to a revolutionary leader. His commitment to the Prajadal movement is depicted convincingly, and emotional depth to the character adds an interesting dimension. Manju Warrier, as Mahalakshmi, complements him with a nuanced performance, adding richness to the narrative. The chemistry between the two adds emotional weight to the story.
Supporting actors Rajiv Menon, Chetan, and Gautam Vasudev Menon have further supported this movie by giving the necessary depth and strength to its story. The first half of Viduthalai Part 2 is impressive as it is action filled and has some real hard hitting action scenes, grounded well within the movie’s dark and oppressive feel. Dialogues are always strong with themes of revolution and equality, which keep viewers locked in to the unfolding drama.
However, the pacing of the film goes completely off track in the second half. The first half is at a decent pace, but the second half seems too long and dragged out as it focuses too much on Perumal’s history. This makes Soori, who was so crucial to the first part, play a secondary role and shakes up the balance of the story, making it hard to keep track of the main storyline.
While flashback sequences initially have their share of entertainment value, they become too protracted and begin to weigh the movie down. A specific scene of a protracted forest shootout is almost soporific, as this gives the second half the overall feel of being dragging along.
Though his strong and intense action is to the bone, occasionally Director Vetrimaaran plays more on slow-motion shots which, though effective in those moments, ultimately dilutes the emotional intensity of those action sequences. Slow-motion shots make some scenes more of a repetition than an impact.
The music by Ilaiyaraaja doesn’t go well, especially when compared to the first film. It doesn’t have that emotional appeal to the previous installment and thereby makes the movie feel not so engaging. Technically, Viduthalai Part 2 has outstanding cinematography and editing with a perfect finish in its visuals.
In short, Viduthalai Part 2 is a film that greatly benefits from the outstanding performances of Vijay Sethupathi and Manju Warrier. However, its uneven pacing, especially in the second half, and a shift in character focus detract from its overall effectiveness. While the performances shine, the sluggish narrative and prolonged sequences hinder the film from achieving the same impact as its predecessor.