Vidudala Part-1 Cast: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Chetan, Ilavarasu
Vidudala Part-1 Crew:
Based on Thunaivan by Jeyamohan
Written by Vetrimaaran
Cinematography by Velraj
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Directed by Vetrimaaran
Produced by Elred Kumar
Release in Telugu by GFD – Geetha Film Distribution
Vidudala Part-1 Rating: 3/5
Vidudala Part-1 is the Telugu dubbed version of Viduthalai Part-1 by Vetrimaaran. The director has come up with films like Asuran, Aadukalam, Visaranai, Vada Chennai. Every film has been able to get critical acclaim and audience approval too. Vidudala Part-1 has comedian Soori in the lead role. Vijay Sethupathi is playing an important role as the story revolves around his ideology. Vetrimaaran has won National Awards for Screenplay and Direction for Aadukalam. His films Visaranai and Asuran won National Best Feature Films awards too. So, there is a good buzz and hype about his Vidudala Part-1. Already Tamil version has become a critically acclaimed film and box office success too. Let’s discuss about the film, Vidudala Part-1.
Vidudala Part-1 Plot:
In 1987, Tamil Praja Dalam, an activist organisation rises against Government. Their motive is to resist Forest and Mountain lands being allocated to a Mining Corporation. Police form groups to catch Perumal Master (Vijay Sethupathi) who started the organisation. In Vidudala Part-1, Constable Kumaresan (Soori) joins E-Company. It is a group of Police specially appointed to catch Perumal Master in Hilly Villages. He finds his Officer-in-Command, OC Ragavendra (Chetan) egoistic and ruthless. On the first day, Kumaresan helps villagers against the commands of OC. Hence, OC gives him punishments until he apologises. Kumaresan doesn’t apologize and Vidudala Part-1 takes a new turn.
Kumaresan meets Tamilarasi alias Paapa (Bhavani Sre), the next day. She symapthizes with him and tells him that her grandmother is safe because of his help. In Vidudala Part-1, one day, Kumaresan helps Perumal Master and his men, thinking they are villagers. Government appoints Sunil Menon (Gautham Vasudev Menon) to hunt Perumal Master, who is known in media as Ghost. They name the Operation Ghost Hunt.
Kumaresan falls in love with Tamilarasi as she rejects her marriage proposal to be with her grandmother. Police decides to arrest her entire village to investigate. Police tend to make women sit without clothes to extract information. Hence, Kumaresan decides to help Police catch Perumal Master. Will he succeed? What happens to Tamilarasi? Watch Vidudala Part=1 to know more.
Vidudala Part-1 Analysis:
Vidudala Part-1 has a beautifully constructed and executed Oner or One shot sequence in the opening. It grabs our eyes and puts us in the situation, right away. The production design, artwork and actors look real and give us an almost documentary feel. It appears like Vetrimaaran decided to showcase every inch of the story and material, completely, in elaborative detail.
While that penchant for detailing is great. He doesn’t give us enough material to connect with the characters other than Soori and Bhavani Sre. Vidudala Part-1 tries to portray crude reality at the very raw level. Hence, at times, it is hard for sensitive and family audience to digest things. Vidudala Part-1 even though is well directed and well executed, it misses the connectivity of Asuran and Visaranai.
We cannot just take say that the movie is at fault as every thread concludes in Vidudala Part-2. So, for now, we can say that this movie establishes the world well and characters, also. But doesn’t give a fulfilling experience. Vidudala Part-1 is a revelation for Soori and Bhavani Sre. They get meaty parts and they did very well. Soori surprises with his understated and realistic performance. Bhavani Sre eyes are highly expressive and she looks apt in romantic scenes.
Vidudala Part-1 could have benefitted with commercial and realistic approach. But Vetrimaaran seems to have gone for telling every thing he had in his mind in this story. It keeps us engaged till the last frame but doesn’t connect with us at the same level of Aadukalam or Asuran. You can watch this movie, if you like elaborative and detailed filmmaking in a police procedural and revolutionist cinema.
Vidudala Part-1 Positives:
Soori Performance
All actors look real in their characters
Bhavani Sre performance
Ilaiyaraaja Back Ground Score
Realistic approach
Vidudala Part-1 Negatives:
Too Elaborate
Dilutes the impact
Too Slow Narrative
Vidudala Part-1 Bottom-line: Elaborative yet Interesting!
Upasana donates her earnings for a great cause!
