Sethupathi

Sethupathi is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by S.U Arun Kumar. Produced by Shan Sutharsan under Vansan Movies, it features Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan in the main lead roles, and Raaghavan Murugan, Murugana, Vela Ramamoorthy, and others in supporting roles.

The movie, released worldwide on 19th February 2016, follows the life of Sethupathi (played by Vijay Sethupathi), an honest, upstanding police inspector. Sethupathi is a level-headed, cool, and dedicated man who idolizes his work more than anything in his life. His character signifies the heroic quality of an honest police officer dedicated to putting criminal elements in their place. He is portrayed as a respected figure in his community, feared by the criminals and admired by the common people. This efficient police officer has a delightful life with his loving wife, played by Remya Nambeesan, and their cute children. His personal life scenes give insight into the humane side of the cop.

The movie takes an interesting turn when Sethupathi unwittingly gets involved in a case concerning a murdered cop. This murder case reveals itself to be far more complex than it initially appears to be. Sethupathi finds himself embroiled in a twisted game of cat and mouse. The challenge for Sethupathi is to navigate through these murky waters of the criminal world to achieve justice for his slain colleague, and catch the culprit behind this crime.

The villain’s role, Vaathiyar, played by award-winning theatre actor, Vela Ramamoorthy, brings the perfect foil to Sethupathi. A man of immense power and influence, Vaathiyar is not just an everyday antagonist but a strong, ruthless individual who won’t hesitate to go to any lengths to maintain his supremacy. He is a man who has the local politicians, as well as people from the legal fraternity, wrapped around his finger.

The constantly escalating tension between the protagonist and the antagonist keeps viewers tightly gripped and on the edge of their seats. The narrative captures the battle between good and evil, not just in a stark black and white; but showcases the grey areas where power, politics, and justice blend together.

Director Arun Kumar masterfully takes us through the intricacies of the crime world blended with family drama, duty, and thrill. Being an action thriller, the movie also features intense fight sequences; however, the violence is not gratuitous but is necessary for the story’s progression. The swift actions and robustness presented are a reflection of Vijay Sethupathi's acting prowess, showcasing his capabilities as a versatile actor in the Indian movie industry.

Truly justice to its genre, Sethupathi gets its authenticity from the minute details that the makers have incorporated into the film-making process. From dialogue delivery to the gritty narration, and from character development to the backdrop selection, every detail is crafted with precision, adding a sense of reality to the movie landscape.

Adding to the cinematic experience of Sethupathi, Nivas K. Prasanna’s background scores and music plays a crucial role in lifting the thrilling sequences. Moreover, the cinematography and the visual compositions, performed by Dinesh Krishnan, are remarkable as they further enrich the overall flavor of the action thriller.

As a movie, Sethupathi ticks all the right boxes for a police procedural, without falling prey to the usual clichés. It gives the audience a unique blend of action, drama, and moments of intense emotion. Its careful balance of the thrill of an action movie with the subtle layers of a family drama makes it a must-watch. With a tight screenplay, edge-of-the-seat thrill, and engaging performances, Sethupathi is a well-crafted, thrilling experience in the Indian cinema, making it memorable and enjoyable for the audience. The film sets a new benchmark for Tamil police stories, relocating them from the realm of unbelievable masala flicks to more realistic and engaging narration.