in the lead roles. The film was a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil movies of its release year.
His peaceful life is shattered when he protects his classmate, Uma, from the harassment of , the ruthless son of a powerful underworld don named Vedanayagam (Salim Ghouse). Ravi beats Chella in a public confrontation, sparking a deadly vendetta.
| Song Title | Singers | Lyricist | Highlights | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Shankar Mahadevan | Kabilan | The ultimate mass intro song for Vijay; a high-energy number that became synonymous with the film's promotion. | | Puli Urumudhu | Ananthu, Mahesh Vinayagam | Kabilan | A folk-based mass number celebrating Vijay's power, picturized with grand visuals. | | Chinna Thamarai | Krish, Suchitra | Vivega | A melodious and romantic duet shot beautifully, showcasing the chemistry between Vijay and Anushka. | | Karikalan | Vijay Antony, Kabilan, Annamalai | Kabilan, Annamalai | A unique, slower-paced track with interesting lyrics. | | En Uchimandai | Vijay Antony | Not specified | A high-energy, rap-influenced track that was used as a promotional song. | vettaikaran tamil full best movie vijay 2009
Ravi is ultimately cleared of his charges and offered a role in the police force. He refuses, stating he has already found the "police officer within himself".
: Critics noted that Vijay looked "smarter" and "cooler" in this film compared to his previous few projects, carrying the movie's energy almost single-handedly. Action Sequences in the lead roles
The story follows Ravi (Vijay), a happy-go-lucky youth from Thoothukudi who travels to Chennai with dreams of becoming a police officer like his idol, Devaraj IPS. However, his life takes a sharp turn when he encounters Chella, the son of a powerful and ruthless gangster named Vedanayagam.
When Ravi’s acquaintances fall victim to Devaraj’s brutality, Ravi decides to take matters into his own hands, transforming from an aspirant into a vigilante—the true "Vettaikaran." The narrative focuses on his journey to fight the systemic corruption represented by Devaraj, aiming to cleanse the city. While the plot is formulaic and reminiscent of many 90s Tamil action films, its strength lies in the execution of its mass-appealing scenes. 2. Cast and Performance Ravi beats Chella in a public confrontation, sparking
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In retrospect, Vettaikaran is a time capsule of Tamil commercial cinema before the rise of more nuanced, performance-driven films. It does not challenge the viewer intellectually but offers pure, unapologetic entertainment. For followers of Vijay’s career, the film marks a transitional phase, bridging his earlier action-comedies and the more ambitious, socially conscious roles he would undertake in the 2010s (e.g., Kaththi , Mersal ). While not his best film, Vettaikaran remains a fan favorite—a definitive example of why Vijay became “Thalapathy” (Commander) to millions.
What makes Vettaikaran the “best” in its category is its technical and musical excellence, particularly the soundtrack by Vijay Antony. The album was a cultural phenomenon: “Chinna Thamarai” became an instant romantic anthem, while “Puli Urumudhu” emerged as a celebration of mass heroism. Antony’s background score amplifies every punch and emotional beat, ensuring that even predictable scenes land with immense impact. The cinematography by Gopinath captures the gritty contrast of Madurai’s streets and the glamorous songs, giving the film a polished yet raw aesthetic that holds up well.
