Visaaranai (2015)

Language: Tamil.

Director:  Vetrimaaran.

Writers: Chandrakumar, Vetrimaaran.

Cast:  Dinesh, Samuthirakani, Anandhi.

Genre: Crime | Drama | Thriller.

Imdb: Visaaranai (2015).

Streaming on Netflix.

When an unquestionable power centre treats a man unlawfully, inhumanely and mercilessly, who will come to his aide? The legal system will. But where to turn to if the system itself is the perpetrator?

Visaranai from Vetrimaaran, to put it simply depicts this : “from the frying pan into the fire”.  However the ground reality that is painted is far from simple.  Our nation is economically unequal. The opportunities available in one’s home state may not be enough to sustain a livelihood. Aforementioned scenario forces 4 men from Tamil Nadu to seek fortune in Andhra Pradesh. The language barrier makes them stand out among the local crowd. This also makes them the easy target for injustice.

The initial half of the film tackles how the system and the forces responsible for safeguarding the same bend the regulations to suit their own agendas. In between this tussle, left without no one to protect, the common man suffers.  Even though it is filled with scenes of cruelty and violence, the middle portion of the movie offers hope which makes the viewers a bit relieved.  

As the story progresses, we realize that the relaxation was short-lived, whatever that transpired till now was just the tip of the iceberg. Andhra Pradesh was only the frying pan, back at Tamil Nadu the fire was waiting for them. To make things worse, the men decide to trust the system. Poor souls, they never realised that the same system is omnipresent. 

Although the film illustrates  how the privileged preys on the lives of the oppressed, it is far from a documentary. It wonderfully combines the elements of thrills, action and even romance. It is hard hitting and pulls no punches. Kudos to the makers for not comprising and providing a cinematic climax. The message that law serves those with power and money is conveyed flawlessly.

Verdict: 7/7 Stars.