Kollywood Movie Director Vetrimaaran Movies Of All Time

A Quick Intro About Director Vetrimaaran

Vetrimaaran is the master of grit. Amongst the Tamil filmmakers, he happens to be the most consistent today, merely for the reason that he doesn't compromise on reality. His films deal with the dark underbelly of society and generally move with themes of police brutality, caste oppression, and the politics of survival. No fancy sets or gloss, just raw storytelling, and strong performances that hit you like a gut punch. Here's a look at his filmography, which is almost wholly made up of modern classics:

List of Movies by Director Vetrimaaran

1. Polladhavan (2007)

The story is loosely drawn from the Italian classic Bicycle Thieves, but adapted perfectly for the streets of North Chennai. Prabhu is an aimless guy whose only source of pride is his new Pulsar bike. He loves it more than anything else. When it is stolen, his hunt to find it leads him into a conflict with a ruthless drug-smuggling gang. What started as a simple petty theft spirals into a life-and-death situation for Prabhu and his family. It captures the middle-class struggle and the ego of a young man who just wants his property back.

This was Vetrimaaran's debut and it instantly set him apart. He turned Dhanush from a scrawny boy-next-door into a believable action star. The villain, played by Daniel Balaji, is one of the most memorable antagonists in Tamil cinema because he is frighteningly unpredictable. Music by G.V. Prakash was a huge hit, particularly the remixes: raw and violent, hugely stylized, it proved you did not need the standard masala formula for a commercial film.

2. Aadukalam (2011)

The film is set in Madurai and proceeds to explore the culture of rooster fighting. Karuppu is a young and brilliant fighter who looks up to his mentor Pettaikaran. When against his mentor's wish Karuppu wins a tournament, the ego of the older man is bruised. The mentor develops jealousy and silently plans the downfall of Karuppu, masquerading as his well-wisher. It's a tragedy about betrayal and the complexities of the guru-disciple relationship. The rooster fights are merely a backdrop for a very intense human drama.

The movie swept the National Awards, winning six in all. Dhanush acted so realistically in this movie, and his pronunciation of the local Madurai dialect was perfect. The casting was very different, especially choosing a real-life writer, Jayabalan, for the role of the mentor who is overcome with jealousy. The movie is raw and does not shy away from the dust and sweat of the setting. The screenplay is taut and keeps you guessing right until the very end. Proved that Vetrimaaran was not a one-film wonder and finally established his signature style of filmmaking.

3. Visaranai (2015)

This is considered among the most disturbing and honest films ever made in India. Based on a novel called Lock Up, it narrates the story of four Tamil laborers working in Andhra Pradesh who are picked up by the police for theft they did not commit. The police had to close the case to satisfy their higher-ups, so they started torturing the boys to force a confession. Just when they thought they were saved, they found themselves being dragged into a much larger and deadlier web of political corruption back in Tamil Nadu. It depicts how the system uses the poor as pawns.

This movie is physically exhausting to watch, as the violence seems so real. It was India's official entry for the Oscars that year. Vetrimaaran had removed all traces of cinema, like songs or romance, and had honed in on the absolute horror of the situation. Dinesh and Samuthirakani gave career-best performances. The audience is left with a sense of helplessness. This is not an easy watch, but it is a necessary one that exposes the dark reality of custodial violence.

Visaranai was a movie so haunting and important, that it forced its way into our must watch movies of 2016.

4. Vada Chennai (2018)

This is an epic gangster saga that spans several decades. Anbu is a skilled carrom player who just wants to live a peaceful life with his girlfriend. However, the neighborhood he lives in is a battleground for two rival gangs fighting for control. The history of the area, the rise and fall of a benevolent don named Rajan, and how Anbu eventually steps up to protect his people are told through a non-linear narrative. It is deeply rooted in the politics of North Chennai and the displacement of its people.

The movie has a cult following, and its sequel is quite eagerly awaited by its fans. The world-building in this film is unparalleled and the place is like a character in itself. Rajan, played by the director Ameer himself in a cameo, also leaves a huge mark with his limited screen time. Santhosh Narayanan's music adds a different flavor that befits the rugged setting of the film entirely. It is complex and has many characters, but Vetrimaaran weaves them together brilliantly. It is most compared to Gangs of Wasseypur for its scale and raw energy.

5. Asuran (2019)

Sivasamy appears to be a timid, aging drunkard who does not want anything to do with a fight. However, when his hot-headed teenage son kills a wealthy landlord of upper caste in a fit of rage, Sivasamy snaps into survival mode. He flees with his son deep into the forests to protect his son from the landlord's henchmen. As the events in the story unfold, a flashback leads to Sivasamy's violent past and the tragedy that forced him to turn pacifist. It is a tale of land rights, caste oppression, and a father's love.

Dhanush won another National Award for his portrayal of the aging father. His body language completely changes between the two time periods in the film. It marked the Tamil debut of Malayalam actress Manju Warrier, who was fantastic as the fierce mother. The action sequences are raw and emotional rather than stylish. The "interval block" where Sivasamy reveals his true nature is one of the most celebrated scenes in recent Tamil cinema history. It is a commercial hit that didn't compromise on its heavy political message.

6. Paava Kadhaigal (2020) – Segment: Oor Iravu 

This is a short film that is part of a Netflix anthology, but it hits harder than most full-length movies. A father who had cut ties with his daughter for marrying a man from a lower caste suddenly shows up to reconcile. He invites her home for a traditional baby shower. The daughter is overjoyed to reunite with her family. However, the reunion quickly turns into a nightmare as the father's true intentions are revealed. It is a horrifying look at honor killings and how deep-seated caste hatred can be. 

The entire movie runs on the acting skills of Sai Pallavi and Prakash Raj. Sai Pallavi effectively presents the innocent joy of being a daughter, making the end all the more shattering. Prakash Raj becomes scary because he plays the role of the father not as a monster but as a cool, loving man who sincerely believes his twisted actions are right. The climax is done in a long suffocating take that leaves you stunned. It is a brutal critique of how society values "honor" over human life. 

7. Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) 

Kumaresan is a driver recruited into the police force and is sent to a remote hill station. The police hunt a separatist group led by a mysterious leader named Perumal, also known as Vaathiyaar. Kumaresan sees how police maltreat the local tribal villagers in the guise of hunting terrorists. He falls in love with a village girl and tries to help her people, thereby opposing his superiors. The film is a slow, brooding drama that reveals gray areas between the law and justice. 

The biggest surprise here was casting Soori, known as a comedian, in a serious lead role. He gives a very restrained and honest performance. The camera is thoroughly breathtaking, capturing both the beauty and the danger of the forest. The opening train accident sequence is a technical marvel, shot in a single long take. Ilaiyaraaja's music adds a haunting quality to the visuals. It provides a perfect setup for the second part by setting the conflict right without hurrying the storytelling. 

8. Viduthalai Part 2 (2024) 

Picking up exactly where the first part ended, this film focuses heavily on the backstory of Perumal. While the first part was from the perspective of a police constable, this one dives deep into why the separatist movement actually started. It looks at the history of oppression that led a teacher to pick up the gun and become a revolutionary. It brings the state and people conflict into a bloody, violent ending. Vijay Sethupathi plays a much bigger role in this film compared to the first. His performance anchors the emotional weight of the story. The film also features a younger version of his character explaining the transformation. It is expected to be more action-heavy and politically charged than the first part. Vetrimaaran uses this conclusion to ask difficult questions about who the real terrorists are? The rebels fighting for their land or the state that oppresses them.