Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu review: Simbu and director Gautham Menon excel in this gangster flick

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon is known for his relatable urban romantic dramas and Silambarasan (Simbu) is known for his superb work in his films.

When they came together this time round for Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, they broke the stereotype and moved into the new territory of a story of a local village boy in Tamil Nadu who turns into a gangster due to circumstances beyond his control.

Muthuveeran aka Muthu (Simbu) hails from a small village called Karuvakkulam in Tirunelveli district. He completed his BSc but is struggling to get a job.

His mother (Radikaa Sarathkumar) pleads with a family relative to help with a job and Muthu is soon on his way to Mumbai to work in a parotta shop.

But the parotta shop is not just a food business and Muthu realises that it’s a front for a gang led by Karji and learns of their sinister dealings in the city. Though he tries to fight the compelling forces enticing him to join, he eventually picks up a gun and there is no turning back.

Does he remain the innocent Muthu that he was? How does he survive in this gangster world?

Engaging first half & predictable second half

From the film, it’s clear that both Simbu and Gautham Menon thoroughly enjoyed working on this new genre of film because their hard work is evident on screen.

The movie is written by Jeyamohan. While the story is the writer’s, Gautham Menon has put his indelible stamp on the film in the way he directed and shot it.

The first half of the film where we meet Muthu and delve into his world has been brilliantly written and directed. We find ourselves immersed in Muthu’s world.

The story setup has a slow pace and it is deliberate because Muthu’s journey is such — he’s a simpleton whose very ordinary life doesn’t have anything much going for it.

Like so many lakhs of people in Mumbai, Muthu is one more migrant who wants to eke out a living under terrible conditions to help his family back home. He is just another cog in the wheel so to speak.

However, the second half of the film becomes predictable and that’s where the issue is.

My favourite track from #VTK ❤️
Here’s #Mallipoo lyric video #TheJourneyOfMuthu @menongautham @arrahman @VelsFilmIntl @RedGiantMovies_ @thinkmusicindia https://t.co/gf20kyrT8H

— Silambarasan TR (@SilambarasanTR_) September 6, 2022

Simbu’s show all the way 

Jeyamohan and Gautham Menon venture into the tried and tested formula and that was disappointing. The romantic portions — except for when Muthu meets her for the first time in the shop and tries to see her again — don’t really work well in the film.

The movie segueing into the sequel in the last ten minutes could have been avoided as it only distracts from the good work earlier.

Simbu has completely transformed himself into the 20-year-old village boy Muthu right from his looks, mannerisms, lingo, his walk and his hairstyle. Simbu, the movie star, is not seen in the film but only Muthu all the way through.

He has to be commended for his strong understated approach to the role which he pulls off with elan.

Music director AR Rahman’s score for the film and the cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni are superb as well.

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu may have its flaws but the way it has been realistically shot, Simbu’s excellent performance and director Gautham Menon in new form keeps you totally engaged and invested in the film.

https://t.co/WwFi61ljHb

Gearing up for a pan-Indian Tamil release of the first instalment of my gangster saga starring @SilambarasanTR_ #VendhuThanindhathuKaadu@IshariKGanesh @VelsFilmIntl @arrahman
Thank you @BajpayeeManoj@AAFilmsIndia #AnilThadani
15th Sep #VTK #STR

— Gauthamvasudevmenon (@menongautham) September 10, 2022