2023's Vidudala Part 1 was a blockbuster. Soori, who had been introduced primarily as a comedian, emerged as a hero in this film. Vijay Sethupathi played a pivotal role, and with Vetrimaaran at the helm, the movie gained critical acclaim. Now, the sequel, Vidudala Part 2, has been released. How does it focus on Vijay Sethupathi's character, who played a key role in the first installment?

Story:

Master alias Perumal (Vijay Sethupathi) is arrested by the police at the end of the first part. The sequel begins with the police interrogating Perumal in custody. Perumal’s time in custody becomes central to the story. The authorities plan to transfer Perumal to another camp in the forest, intending to stage an encounter. Does Perumal reveal his backstory during the journey? How did an ordinary schoolmaster transform into Karuppan Perumal? What roles do KK (Kishore) and Mahalakshmi (Manju Warrier) play in his life? And does Perumal manage to escape police custody? To find out, one must watch the film.

Analysis:

If a story is expansive, splitting it into two parts can work well. However, when the narrative doesn't warrant such length, the second part often relies heavily on subplots. In cinema history, we've seen sequels like Baahubali 2 and KGF: Chapter 2 that advanced their stories significantly. Conversely, we've also seen sequels that failed to maintain momentum. Vetrimaaran’s Release: Part 2 falls somewhere between these extremes.

The film starts intriguingly. The interrogation scene between Gautham Menon and Vijay Sethupathi, along with an action sequence accompanying the flashback, immediately engrosses the audience. The love track between Vijay Sethupathi and Manju Warrier is written maturely, showcasing Vetrimaaran's finesse. The narrative takes a dramatic turn at the interval, transitioning from peaceful themes to violence.

However, the second half falters. Vijay Sethupathi narrates disconnected events from his life, leaving the storyline disjointed. Dead characters appear alive in subsequent scenes due to the non-linear screenplay, which takes time to make sense. While the initial flashback effectively conveys why Vaathiyar chose the path of Naxalism, later scenes lack coherence and fail to contribute meaningfully to the story. Some flashback portions in the latter half feel tedious, and their removal would not detract from the film perhaps even enhancing its impact.

Vijay Sethupathi excels in the role of Vaathiyar. While such performances are familiar territory for him, he delivers with habitual brilliance. Manju Warrier shines as Mahalakshmi, leaving a strong impression. The supporting cast performs adequately within the scope of their characters.

Ilaiyaraaja's music and background score are significant assets. The “Pigeon” song is particularly captivating. Velraj’s cinematography enhances the film, capturing natural locations that resonate well on screen.

Verdict:

If you enjoyed Vidudala Part 1 and expect Part 2 to be of the same caliber, you might be disappointed. While it starts strong, the second half’s lack of focus and coherence prevents it from reaching the heights of its predecessor.