Exclusive interview with son of the real Vaathiyaar on whom Vetrimaaran’s ‘Viduthalai’ is based

Vetimaaran’s ‘Viduthalai 1’ released on March 31st has once again touched gold both critically and commercially making him one of the most successful Tamil filmmakers among the current generation.  The film based on Jeyamohan’s short story ‘Thunaivan’ has Ilayaraja’s music and background score.  It marks the debut of Soori as a hero playing the role of police constable who captures a most wanted naxalite leader in the late 80s.

Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi played the role of Perumal Vaathiyaar the naxalite leader.  Though he appears less than fifteen minutes in ‘Viduthalai 1’ his performances has been lauded as one of his career best.  The characterization has created great curiosity as to who was Vaathiyaar in real life or on whom his character is based on.

In an exclusive interview to us Chozhan Nambiar has stated that the Vaathiyaar in ‘Viduthalai 1’ and its sequel is based on his late father poet Kaliyaperumal Vaathiyaar’s life.  He opined that the character may have been designed after Vetrimaaran or his assistant directors read his father’s autobiography “Makkal Thunaiyodu Maranathai Vendren”.

Chozhan also shared that when he met Vetrimaaran and gave him the autobiography the filmmaker told him that he has read about his father and is well aware of him.   He also insisted that the Vaathiyaar character in ‘Viduthalai 1’ is definately influenced by the book.

On the other hand Chozhan also denies that his late father was as cruel and violent as shown in a particular scence where Vijay Sethupathi cuts off a cop’s head.  At the same time he agrees that the scene was included to create the desired impact in the minds of the people.

Chozhan however feels that the essence of the Perumal Vaathiyaar character is to serve the people and their interests which Vetrimaaran has conveyed exactly in his film.  He signed off by saying that it is laudable to make such movies that will not only expose hidden history of police brutality but also bring awareness to Tamils about what happened decades ago.  He also expressed his strong belief that Soori will receive a National Award for his role in ‘Viduthalai 1’.  

At the time of this writing there is no official confirmation regarding whether Vetrimaaran based his Vaathiyaar character on Kaliyaperumal.  Do check the video below for the full interview of Chozhan Nambiar.